The T&T Red Force may be batting to save the match today on the final day against Barbados Pride in the second round of the West Indies Cricket Board Professional Four-Day tournament at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Barbados closed on 171/3 in the second innings yesterday, an overall lead of 225 runs. Earlier in the day, the T&T middle and lower order battled hard eventually being dismissed for 246 in the first innings in response to the Bajans first innings tally of 300.
The Barbadian batsmen were more aggressive in the second innings, looking for quick runs in an effort to force an outright victory today. West Indies Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite fell just before the close for a top score of 72. The Barbados captain faced 151 deliveries and stroked six fours, while Shamarh Brooks continued his excellent form closing the day on an unbeaten 51. Brooks top scored for Barbados in the first innings with 111.
The spinners again led the way for T&T, as Imran Khan (1/57), Narsingh Deonarine (1/36) and Kavesh Kantasingh (1/30) all snatched one wicket apiece.
Earlier, Steven Katwaroo and Yannick Ottley took T&T from 153/5 overnight to 191 before Ottley fell to Kevin Stoute for 45 ending the 92-run partnership. Wicketkeeper Katwaroo, T&T’s top batsman in the tournament so far, continued to frustrate the Barbadian bowlers until Stoute bowled him for 64. Katwaroo, who scored 71 in the first round against the Leeward Islands, struck nine fours in his 166-ball knock. T&T skipper Rayad Emrit pitched in with 20 to push the total to 246.
Stoute was the chief destroyer for Barbados taking 4/54, while fast bowler Miguel Cummins grabbed 3/65.