Reifer hundred takes Barbados into final

Guyana 211 and 316 for 9 dec drew with Barbados 246 and 268 for 7 (Reifer 101)
Scorecard

Floyd Reifer reaches his hundred to guide Barbados into the Carib Beer Challenge final © The Nation

Floyd Reifer, a proven performer under pressure, overcame persistent pain to pilot Barbados to a place in the Carib Beer Challenge final.

Given the responsibility of batting at No. 3 for the first time in a few seasons, Barbados' longest-serving player used his vast experience and showed steely resolve in compiling a precious century that lifted Ryan Hinds' team to a hard-fought semi-final draw against Guyana. The left-handed Reifer, bothered by discomfort in his right wrist for the latter half of his innings, was the mastermind of Barbados' effort in which they had the challenging task of either surviving the entire final day or attain a target of 282 on a Carlton Club pitch that remained good for batting throughout.

At 249 for 5, with 45 minutes remaining, Barbados appeared to be heading for victory, but after the dismissals of Reifer and Ian Bradshaw, the run-chase was aborted with Patrick Browne and Ryan Austin batting through the final half-hour.

There were other assistants along the way, but pride of place went to Reifer, whose 101, was by far his highest score of the season, his ninth first-class hundred and his fourth against Guyana and another important knock for Barbados either in a final or a semi-final.

"I like big games. I like to play under pressure," Reifer said. "Something happened today with my wrist, I can't explain. My wrist got snapped in playing a particular shot. It was fairly painful, but I never let it stop me."

It was an innings with some luck for someone who has been at the wrong end of a few contentious decisions against him during the tournament. When he was 6, Guyana captain Reon King spilled the easiest chance of the match, a straightfoward offering at midwicket that many primary schoolboys would have fancied gobbling up.

A few minutes later, the Guyanese, and even some Bajans beyond the boundary, were certain Reifer had edged a catch to slip off left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell, but umpire Goaland Greaves appeared to indicate he was unsighted by the bowler on his follow-through.

Once those were history, Reifer grew in confidence to bat with the type of authority we know he can, but which he has seldom displayed in an otherwise disappointing season in which his previous highest score was 42. Eventually, he was caught low at slip to end an innings that lasted four hours and included 11 fours off 213 balls.

There were telling contributions from the majority of those who batted. Browne, short of runs in recent matches, initially batted aggressively and then responsibly, occupying the crease for two hours for an unbeaten 39 after linking up with Reifer following a mini slump just before tea when three wickets fell for 14 runs.

Openers Dale Richards and Wayne Blackman laid the foundation, adding 67 that offered encouragement to hometown fans. Richards reeled off eight sweet fours in 44 off 73 balls before gifting his wicket with a catch to mid-off off legspinner Mahendra Nagamootoo.

Blackman, many still questioning his place in the team, doggedly resisted for three hours to make 36 off 139 balls before flicking a catch to backward square-leg. Captain Ryan Hinds made 23 in an hour, but then under-edged an attempted drive off Neil McGarrell into his stumps. Just before he went, Barbados were 172 for 2, but the next few overs the match took a twist and Guyana were back into the contest.

Dwayne Smith, relegated to No. 5 in an exchange of positions with Reifer, was once again the victim of an irresponsible stroke, an attempted slog-sweep in which he skied the ball to midwicket. And on the stroke of tea, Alcindo Holder dragged a ball into his stumps to create a few worries for Bajans.

By then Reifer was 67 and battling the pain, but he remained firm in the company of Browne to allow Barbados to set up a showdown against Cup champions Trinidad and Tobago in the five-day final, starting on Saturday at Guaracara Park.