BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Justin Greaves struck a maiden first-class hundred to help prop up Barbados Pride on the opening day of their final- round game in the regional four-day championship against Jamaica Scorpions.
Sent in at Kensington Oval, Pride were in danger of collapse at 98 for five, before Greaves arrived to pummel an attractive unbeaten 104 which propelled the hosts to 297 for six at the close here yesterday.
Kenroy Williams chipped in with a career-best 82, while opener Kyle Corbin added 51 and West Indies one-day player Ashley Nurse, 33 not out.
Seamer Derval Green (2-36) and left-arm spinner Dennis Bulli (2-86) both finished with two wickets apiece.
Fielding a weakened side with most of their first team players on West Indies duty, Pride endured a rocky start as they lost several early wickets.
Left-hander Anthony Alleyne perished for one with the score on 25 in the fifth over of the morning, edging a defenisve prod at fast bowler Jerome Taylor to Jermaine Blackwood at second slip.
One-day batsman Jonathan Carter edged a drive at Green and was taken behind for 10 at 43 for two on the stroke of the first hour and, soon afterward, Ryan Wiggins on debut was caught at slip by Blackwood off left-arm spinner Fabian Allen for one at 50 for three.
Kevin Stoute fell for 11 and Corbin, after facing 96 balls and striking six fours, was caught at leg slip by Blackwood off Bulli.
With Pride in turmoil, Greaves came to the fore, anchoring two critical partnerships to turn the innings around. He added 124 for the sixth wicket with Williams and 75 with Nurse in an unbroken seventh-wicket stand.
The 23-year-old, better known for his right-arm pace, faced 182 balls in just over 3-1/2 hours at the crease and counted eight fours.
Williams, meanwhile, struck eight fours in a knock spanning 155 deliveries in just under three hours at the crease.
When Bulli had him caught at square leg in the first hour after tea, Nurse entered to further frustrate Scorpions, ensuring that Greaves also went past three figures for the first time in 10 first-class matches.
