Barbados: BET In Command (23 November 1998)

23 November 1998

Barbados: BET In Command

by Philip Hackett

Anthony Morris enhanced his reputation as a powerful hitter with a belligerent unbeaten 56 to steer title-chasers Cable & Wireless BET into a strong position against Sports & Games YMPC yesterday.

Morris dominated a 94-run partnership with veteran Rommel Brathwaite in just over an hour to give BET a lead of 165 entering the final day next Saturday.

BET badly need full points to keep pace with Police in the race for the Division 1 championship.

When Barry Lowe had Ron Bates caught by William Lashley in the first over of BET's second innings, the match was evenly poised with BET having secured just a slim 15-run first innings lead.

Brian Johnson and Brathwaite consolidated well, adding 56 for the second wicket.

Johnson was caught at mid-off by Damien Harte off Kenrick Marshall trying to increase the scoring tempo and to this end, Morris was promoted in the batting order.

He responded admirably, treating the small crowd at the tiny ground to a remarkable display of strokeplay on both sides of the wicket.

He hammered 10 threes and one four to raise his fifty in 54 minutes off only 40 deliveries and has so far batted for 62 minutes while facing 45 balls.

Brathwaite's effort was more cautious but no less crucial and on occasions he matched Morris' strokeplay with a few exquisite cover-drives.

His 50 came off 105 balls in 141 minutes. So far he has struck six threes and one four.

So severe was the onslaught led by Morris that leg-spinner Terry Rollock, who conceded 51 runs from eight overs, opted to bowl at medium pace.

Earlier, YMPC's last five first innings wicket could only add 40 when they resumed on 51 for five in search of 107 for first innings lead.

Lonelle Hutson (5/36) and Corey Collymore (4/38), who had started the demolition job on YMPC the previous evening, both added two wickets to their tally while Bradshaw took one.

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)