Barbados defeat the only upset of Round Two

The most striking result of the second round of the Busta Cup came from Bridgetown, Barbados, where the home team, current holders of the title, suffered a 71-run defeat at the hands of the under-rated Windward Islands.

Putting their rivals in to bat, Barbados allowed Devon Smith at the top of the order to strike a fine 143 to carry his side to a decent first-innings total. None of the other batsmen were able to contribute in similar manner, with Extras making up the second highest score at 44. Windards were bowled out for 327 in under a day, and Barbados must have been pleased with their effort.

The second day, however, saw the hosts bowled out for only 309, despite Courtney Browne's 161 in the middle order. Suleiman Benn (78) supported him to put up a threatening eighth-wicket partnership, but Fernix Thomas' five-wicket haul put paid to Barbados' hopes of gaining a first-innings lead. The visitors were then bowled out for 295 in their second innings, with John Eugene hitting 86 and Ryan Austin taking five wickets for Barbados.

Set an imposing target of 314, Barbados were shot out for 242, unable even to hold on for a draw. Austin followed up his fine bowling performance by top-scoring with an unbeaten 56, but that was not enough to take his side to the target. Browne received the Man of the Match award, but it must have been small consolation for an upset defeat.

At Jamaica, the home side cleaned up Guyana by seven wickets thanks to a century by Leon Garrick. Batting first, Guyana reached 267 at a very slow pace, thanks largely to Azeemul Haniff's 74 and Homchand Pooran's 72. Jamaica took a lead of 104 runs when they scored 371, with Garrick making 115 at the top of the order.

The visitors performed even worse with the bat in their second innings, crumbling to 188 all out in the face of disciplined Jamaican bowling. Set a target of 85 runs, Jamaica then experienced some hiccups in reaching their goal, but Garrick struck an unbeaten 63 to guide his side home and pick up his Man of the Match award.

The visiting side, Bangladesh A, experienced yet more heartburn when they were beaten by three wickets by the lightly considered Leeward Islands. Winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bat, but they were skittled out for only 176, Kerry Jeremy ripping the middle order apart to take 6-33. Leeward's batsmen did not perform much better, though, bundled out for 199.

With a slender deficit, Bangladesh's batsmen fared much better in their second essay, making 312 due to some sterling middle-order contributions. Mazharul Haque, in particular, hit 89 and saw his side past the 200-run mark.

Leewards, thus, were set a stiff target of 290. Defying the odds, the batsmen took their side to a three-wicket win, with Runako Morton in particular playing a fine hand of 98.Stuart WIIliams, captain and opener, also continued in fine form from his previous matches, making 78 at the top of the order. Morton got the Man of the Match award for his game-winning knock.

The final match of the second round, played at Trinidad, saw the home side win by 10 wickets over West Indies B. Their victory was based on a strong first-innings batting performance that saw Imran Jan and Lincoln Roberts hit centuries. Jan made 110 at the top of the order and shared a big partnership for the third wicket with Roberts, who scored 146.

Trinidad and Tobago followed up their first-innings score of 455 with a fine bowling performance. Mukesh Persad in particular was impressive, taking seven wickets and demolishing the middle order. Only opener K Arjune stood his ground, making a defiant unbeaten 109. Bowled out for 264, West Indies B were forced to follow on, and they could only make a further 238 in their second innings.

Trinidad and Tobago were thus set a target of 48, which they reached without any hiccups. The openers struck off the 49 runs in just six overs, completing a comprehensive domination of their rivals. Expectedly, Persad was named Man of the Match for his spectacular bowling performance.