Barbados Pride captain Shamarh Brooks slammed a classy 96 to lead his team to 267 for five against the T&T Red Force at the end of the opening day of their round seven CWI, PCL clash at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy yesterday.
Brooks looked a touch above the rest as he lit up the place with an array of beautiful shots at the southern venue. The right hander forged an excellent partnership of 170 runs with the left handed veteran Jonathan Carter to leave his team in a very strong position going into the second day’s play today.
Brooks looked prime to make a century but fell to newcomer Rishi Jaipaul four short of the landmark. Carter fell for 71 to off-spinner Bryan Charles as T&T fought back after breaking the huge partnership.
Brooks made 96 off 148 balls with 11 fours. Carter counted 72 runs off 106 balls with seven fours and a six.
Earlier, Barbados won the toss and decided to take first strike which has become the norm at this batting Paradise. Openers Anthony Alleyne and Shayne Mosely looked good against an attack that was not menacing. After just 34 minutes Red Force employed spin in the form of Bryan Charles.
The right arm off-spinner bowled well and attacked the openers using the new ball. Pacer Daniel St Clair who has bowled well this season was the man to get the breakthrough, having Mosely caught behind for 22 off 22 balls with four fours. The left hander got a delivery that moved away from him and he feathered it to wicketkeeper Jangoo.
Brooks started to look very smooth indeed and played some pretty shots that won the acclaim of the small gathering at the venue. The experienced Jonathan Carter combined with Brooks to take the score to 88 when the lunch van pulled up. At that mark, Brooks was unbeaten on 29 and Carter 13.
SCOREBOARD
Red Force vs Pride
S Mosely c Jangoo b St Clair 22
A Alleyne lbw Charles 20
S Brooks lbw Jaipaul 96
J Carter c Khan b Charles 72
K Stoute not out 29
K Williams c Jangoo b Khan 2
J Greaves not out 16
Extras 10
Total 5 wkts 267
Fall of wkts 33, 47, 217, 227, 234.
Bowling D St Clair 13-0-48-1, R Primus 16-5-51-0, B Charles 18-4-50-2, I Khan 32-5-70-1, R Jaipaul 15-4-46-1.