Barbados make Jamaica toil

Consistent batting right down the order helped Barbados to a 290-run first innings lead in their Carib Beer Series match against Jamaica yesterday at the Three Ws Oval.

Dwayne Smith top-scored with 94, while Ryan Hinds, the captain, scored 78. Alcindo Holder supported with an unbeaten 64 to lead Barbados to 419, replying to Jamaica's first innings total of 129.

Jerome Taylor was the pick of the Jamaican bowlers with 5 for 85 from 23 overs, and Tamar Lambert snared 2 for 29 from 6.2 overs of uncomplicated off-spin.

In the three overs before stumps on the second day, Jamaica reached 11 without loss in their second innings. Smith, however, provided the most pyrotechnics in a thrilling knock that contained a half-dozen fours and sixes from 63 balls in 1-1/2 hours. He added 98 for the fourth wicket with Hinds and offered the Jamaicans no less than five chances to claim his wicket. Early in his innings, Smith was dropped by Carlton Baugh, Jr, the wicketkeeper , off Marlon Samuels, before living a charmed life after completing his 50 with a drive to wide long-off for two.

Gareth Breese dropped Smith on 58 at deep midwicket off Jerome Taylor. Nikita Miller on the deep midwicket boundary completely misjudged the flight of a ball that he pulled off Samuels, the same bowler who suffered when Brenton Parchment, on slip duty, missed Smith on 80, and the same score on which Baugh running to square leg dropped Smith off Taylor. Smith played an array of typically robust strokes, particularly through the leg-side, where he is strongest, and where he clobbered four sixes early in his innings off Miller and Taylor.

Both Barbados and Jamaica are tied on 12 points, and both will be looking for victory to cement themselves in second position in the Championship.