Bowlers dominate on first day

Combined Campuses and Colleges squandered a dominant position and collapsed to 227 for 9 against Windward Islands on a rain-affected first day in Barbados.

Opener Simon Jackson and Nekoli Parris, who made 54, added 90 after the first wicket fell without a run on the board. Jackson was caught and bowled by legspinner Shane Shillingford but Parris and Floyd Reifer, who top-scored with 92, consolidated. However, medium-pacer Kevin James triggered a slide and CCC lost eight wickets for 85. Only three batsmen managed to reach double figures as the bowling attack, led by Deighton Butler, who took 3 for 21, chipped away at the CCC batsmen.

However, CCC were fortunate to get as far as they did as Reifer was dropped by Mervyn Matthew and Andre Fletcher before he had reached 20. He was eventually out, agonisingly close to his 11th first-class century, holing out to deep midwicket off Kenroy Peters, before play ended with 11 overs still remaining.

The match between Leeward Islands and Guyana in Nevis followed a similar script. Leewards were bowled out for 225, losing seven wickets for 54 to spinners Veerasammy Permaul and Davendra Bishoo, after being in a position of advantage at 171 for 3.

Leeward openers Shane Jeffers and Montcin Hodge started soundly and their team raced to 98 for 1 at lunch. They then lost two wickets in a space of 11 runs: Hodge edged to wicketkeeper Derwin Christian while attempting a drive off Esuan Crandon, and captain Runako Morton was caught at forward short leg off Steven Jacobs.

Omari Banks did for Leewards what Floyd Reifer had done for CCC. Batting solidly, he struck six fours and two sixes amid a middle-order collapse, and was unbeaten 65. None of the final six batsmen scored more than 6. At the close, the Guyana openers Christopher Barnwell and Shemroy Barrington had scored 20 off nine overs.

Barbados and Jamaica were involved in a more closely fought encounter in Kingston. Unlike the other two games, Barbados averted a collapse, and their middle and lower-order batsmen made useful contributions to help them reach 293. Jamaican spinners Odean Brown and Bevon Brown took four wickets between them and fast bowler Andrew Richardson picked up 3 for 41.

Barbados started well after winning the toss, openers Jason Haynes and Rashidi Boucher adding 41. Boucher played on to Richardson and the Jamaican bowlers got into their groove quickly to prevent a threatening partnership from taking root. No subsequent stand yielded more than 47 as the Barbados batsmen, despite getting starts, failed to consolidate. Ryan Hinds made 47 while Jonathan Carter top-scored with 49. Rohan Nurse and Kevin Stoute steadied the innings after their team had been restricted to 164 for 5 and the last five wickets added 129 runs. In response, Jamaica batted seven overs to reach 31 for 0.