Barbados wrap it up after tea

Barbados completed their expected win over the Windward Islands yesterday, but not without some resistance.

The Windwards, beaten for the fifth consecutive match, managed to hold up the hosts until 3:47 p.m. before losing by 111 runs.

It was a comprehensive margin of victory by Ian Bradshaw's men to keep alive their hopes of winning the Busta Cup and qualifying for the semifinals of the International Shield, but they went through some worrying periods on the final day.

They claimed just two wickets in the pre-lunch session and even when they got rid of the Windwards' two most threatening batsman within half-hour after lunch, players of lesser reputations caused some frustration either side of the tea interval.

Eventually, the Windwards, set a target of 335, were dismissed for 223 after resuming the final day on 68 for two.

"We were always concerned after tea because we have held on here to save some games," coach Hendy Springer said after Barbados' eight successive win against the Windwards and 13th since 1982.

"Things were not happening, but we had the benefit of the new ball and some fresh quickies. But you must give the Windward Islands some credit too for taking the game so long."

The victory, Barbados' second of the tournament and their first positive result at Kensington this season, carried them to 33 points and moved them up a notch in the standings to fifth place.

"This has been a good win for us, a good morale booster," Springer said.

Barbados depended mainly on their two teenagers for success as the Windwards found a new hopeful in Greg Wilson, a 28-year-old St. Lucian who followed his first-ball duck with a fighting unbeaten 52 that occupied three hours.

Ryan Austin, delivering flighted off-spin from either end, claimed four for 64, while tidy left-arm Ryan Hinds finished with three for 27. Hinds gained the Man-Of-The-Match award also on the strength of his 87 in the first innings.

"We have got young members of the side who are excelling," Springer said.

"Ryan Hinds did exceptionally well in this game. It's unfortunate that he didn't get his first first-class hundred, but I'm sure that if he keeps up his hard work and his work ethic that he will get there some time in the near future. Ryan Austin also did exceptionally well again."

Springer also lauded the batting of Philo Wallace, Courtney Browne and Sean Armstrong, all of whom made half-centuries.

On resumption yesterday, the Windwards suffered a vital setback after 20 minutes when teenaged opener Romel Currency nicked a perfectly pitched outswinger from Corey Collymore to the keeper and was out for 28.

For the next hour-and-a-quarter, Junior Murray and John Eugene gave the Windwards some hope.

Murray restrained his aggressive instincts for most of the morning session. But Eugene could not hold back his attacking nature and it was no surprise when he chipped a catch to mid-wicket 20 minutes before lunch.

Even at the break, the Windwards might have still held out some hope of earning a draw at 127 for four with the wickets of Murray and captain Rawl Lewis still intact.

Within half-hour of resumption, Barbados had the advantage following the dismissal of the two Grenadians by Austin.

At 39, Murray attempted his first real indiscreet shot and top-edged a sweep to backward square after batting for close to three hours.