Red Stripe Bowl: Injury Will Not Stop Bowler In Semifinal Match (14 October 1998)

14 October 1998

Red Stripe Bowl: Injury Will Not Stop Bowler In Semifinal Match

by Haydn Gill

Hendy Bryan, an important link in Barbados' quest to win the Red Stripe Bowl, seems almost certain to play in Friday's semifinal in spite of a groin injury that affected him in the final preliminary on Sunday.

The 28-year-old fast bowler, who is no slouch with the bat, is reasonably confident that he will be fit enough to take the field for the match against Guyana at the Kaiser ground in the northern Jamaican parish of St. Ann's.

Bryan, who played a vital role in helping Barbados secure a place in the Final Four, was injured while chasing a ball in the outfield in the early stages of the Zone 2 match against Jamaica at Sabina Park.

He showed little effects in bowling 10 overs in which he took two for 30, and was mobile enough to bring off two breathtaking catches inches off the ground. Both catches required him to move in off the boundary.

Barbados, chasing 210 in 49 overs, lost the match by five runs, but Bryan, who came in with the total on 171 for seven in the 46th over, guided them to the 197 that ensured qualification.

He batted at No. 9 with a runner and made a crucial 20 off 14 balls.

On returning to Barbados, he had treatment from physiotherapist Jacqui King yesterday, and chairman of selectors Charlie Griffith reported encouraging news.

"Hendy has been getting extensive treatment. I spoke to both him and Jacqui and Hendy assures me that he will be ready for Friday," Griffith told NATIONSPORT.

"He says when he is bowling it does not affect him. It is after he sits down that it gets stiff and starts to affect him. When he is warm it is not a bother."

Bryan also bowled impressively in Barbados' opening match against the Leeward Islands on Thursday. He took only one wicket but his 7.2 overs cost just 19 runs.

While Bryan is the centre of attention, the Barbados camp is concerned about a middle order which performed disappointingly after the top order had provided blazing starts in two of the qualifying matches.

Roland Holder and Floyd Reifer, two experienced batsmen with Test experience, struggled in both matches they batted, especially against Jamaica when Barbados managed only 40 runs between the 25th and 40th overs.

Both made 27, with Reifer needing 68 balls for his runs and Holder 53. Their lack of form has prompted concern from coach William Bourne.

"The batting has to deliver throughout the innings. We've gotten good starts but we're slowing down quite a lot in the middle.

"We have to make sure that we continue the momentum that has been given by the batsmen at the top," Bourne said.

"They (Holder and Reifer) are two of our better players. If they can come on stream and score runs, it will be a bonus. We hope that they can find form here on in. It's a serious concern and I am hoping that things will work out well for them."

The coach also echoed captain Philo Wallace's call for a more consistent effort in the field.

"In the first game, our fielding was excellent. We slackened a bit in the game against US and also against Jamaica. It is important that we raise the level of our fielding," he said.

"Many catches have gone abegging and luckily we haven't had to pay dearly for them, but when you're playing against better players you might struggle."

Barbados were unable to practise yesterday evening because of wet conditions caused by morning rain. They leave for Jamaica at 9:20 a.m. today. After their expected arrival in Kingston just after noon, they will make a four-hour journey up to Discovery Bay.

Barbados last won the regional One-Day title a decade ago, while their semifinal opponents - Guyana - are seeking a place in the final for the fourth straight year.

The other semifinal brings together Trinidad and Tobago and champions the Leeward Islands, finalists five times since 1990.

The final takes place on Monday, Heroes Day in Jamaica.

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