Baugh steals show on final day

Barbados completed their expected win over West Indies "B" before lunch yesterday, but not before one of the region's emerging players advertised himself as a genuine contender for imminent West Indies selection.

Carlton Baugh, a diminutive 20-year-old Jamaican wicket-keeper/batsman, maintained his remarkable consistency this season by fashioning a high-quality unbeaten century against the new Cup champions and immediately announced he was eying the maroon cap.

"This is what I'm playing for. It's been a good feeling to me looking forward to the West Indies team. I'd be happy if I'm selected," Baugh said after Barbados' ten-wicket victory, their fifth of the season which carried them to 72 points at the end of the Cup phase of the competition.

Baugh's even century off 114 balls was decorated with enthralling strokes on both sides of the wicket and prolonged a match that many expected might have been completed on the second evening until 15 minutes before lunch on the third day.

He was supremely confident against each of Barbados' bowlers and his maiden first-class century included 16 fours and a six. Several of those boundaries were reeled off with a touch of arrogance.

"I'm not a cocky player. I just play what I see," Baugh said.

"I am a positive player. When the ball is there to hit, I'll hit it."

Baugh's keeping throughout the season has been tidy, but it is his batting that has commanded everyone's attention.

Prior to this match, he scored five half-centuries in the championship and yesterday's century carried his aggregate to 470 runs (ave. 47.00).

"I like the challenge. I love to bat and whenever I get the chance, I'll got out there and bat," said Baugh, a former student of the famous Woolmers Boys that produced outstanding Jamaican wicket-keepers Jackie Hendriks and Jeffrey Dujon.

West Indies "B", resuming the third morning on 181 for six, still needing another 57 to avoid an innings defeat, were bowled out for 248.

After seven runs were added, they lost Loronzo Ingram via a contentious run-out, but Baugh, who resumed on 47, received good support from Jason Bennett.

Bennett stayed around for almost an hour in adding 60 for the eighth wicket. His contribution was only five, but his solid presence allowed Baugh to play his strokes and move towards his century, which he brought up shortly after Bennett was dismissed.

After Bennett gave a catch to forward short-leg off Ryan Hurley, West Indies "B" folded quickly with off-spinner Hurley grabbing three of the last four wickets to end with four for 22 from 7.3 overs.

WEST INDIES "B" 1st Innings 115

BARBADOS 1st Innings 353-9 dec'd

WEST INDIES "B" 2nd Innings (overnight 181-6)

+C. Baugh not out 100

L. Ingram run out 5

J. Bennett c Smith b Hurley 5

R. Thomas b Hurley 4

A. Richardson lbw b Hurley 0

Extras (b1, lb3, w1, nb15) 20

TOTAL (all out- 20.2 overs) 181

Fall of wickets (yesterday): 7-188 (Ingram), 8-242 (Bennett), 9-248 (Thomas), 10-248 (Richardson).

Bowling: Collymore 14-6-50-2 (nb5), Bradshaw 10-1-36-1 (nb2), Best 15-1-88-2 (w1, nb5), Benn 11-2-48-0, Hurley 7.3-2-22-4.

BARBADOS 2nd Innings

P. Wallace not out 9

S. Campbell not out 4

TOTAL (no wkt - 1 over) 13

Bowling: Bennett 1-0-13-0.

Result: Barbados won by ten wickets at 11:45 a.m. on the penultimate day.

Points: Barbados 12, West Indies "B" 0.

Man-of-the-match: Tino Best (Barbados)

Adjudicator: Mike Worrell.

Umpires: Dalton Holder (Barbados), Camal Basdeo (Trinidad and Tobago). Stand-by: Vincent Bullen (Barbados).

Match referee: Carlyle Carter