Defending champions go down to Barbados

Nov 14, 2008 Sports

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By Edison Jefford

With eight of their experienced players absent yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda, the relatively young Jamaican brigade pulled all stops but could not prevent what turned into certain defeat.
A seasoned Barbados unit eventually overpowered the defending regional limited overs champions in the latter stages of the Jamaican innings to come away with a somewhat predictable 21–run victory.
After winning the toss and electing to bat on a flat and hard pitch that offered more to batsmen, Barbados’ Ryan Hinds and Dwayne Smith, helped their team to a challenging 249–5 from the allotted 50 overs.
In response, Jamaica reached 228 in the penultimate over before a hasty run out broke the final partnership to hand the Barbadians the win despite Tamar Lambert’s leading and entertaining 76 runs off 82 deliveries.
Barbados’ decision to bat first on the good track proved to be the best decision as opening batsman, Dale Richards built a semi–solid base for the team with his boundary–laden 27 that was decorated with three fours and two sixes.
Richards got out caught at third man off pacer Andrew Richardson and his much desired demise brought Hinds to the crease to join forces with captain, Jason Haynes as the new pair conspired to rebuild the innings.
Haynes and Hinds raised a 50–run partnership off 51 deliveries after the 41–run opening stand. The former West Indies all–rounder, Hinds steadied the ship, setting up the innings for Smith’s major anchor role at the end.
Both Hinds and Smith ended with calculated half centuries that were indicative of clear responsibility and superiority. It was clear from the evidence of their batting that the batsmen meant to impress the few fans.
Hinds faced 88 balls for 56 runs that included seven boundaries and a six while Smith’s swashbuckling 64 off 47 balls, contained five fours and two massive sixes; the batsmen performed their roles almost to perfection.
However, just as the cement was hardening in the third wicket combination, left arm orthodox spinner, Lorenzo Ingram deceived Haynes into an elaborate shot intended for long off but went to third man instead.
Ingram was the most successful bowler in the match for Jamaica with three scalps that cost 47 runs from 10 overs. Richardson finished with 1–25 off five overs, while left arm pacer, Kishmar Santokie had 1–56 off 10 overs.
The score was 109 when Haynes went and the innings was half complete. Barbados‘ run–rate at that point would merely carry them to a total around 218, which would have satisfied the Jamaicans to some extent.
Recognising that the Barbadians were behind their intended rate, off spinner, Yannick Elliot was introduced into the attack to further halt the scoring opportunities of the team from the ‘land of the flying fish’.
Despite the presence of brilliant sunshine, things didn’t look so bright for Barbados at the middle of their innings as Elliot proved a Herculean task to get away. He conceded only 17 runs from his 10 overs that included two maidens.
Hinds and Jonathan Carter saw the torrid period to its completion then impatience got the better of the former West Indies player. Hinds got out trying to flick Santokie through mid–wicket eyeing that boundary.
Horace Miller took the catch off the inside edge of Hinds’ bat at short fine leg in the 35th over with Barbados on 142 runs. The super–powerful Smith replaced Hinds and batted with Carter for four gruelling overs.
An interesting battle ensued between Carter and Santokie when Keith Hibbert failed to hold on to a simple chance at mid–wicket. Carter was on 19 and responded by hitting Santokie for six in the same region in the bowler’s next over.
Santokie was swapped and Ingram was brought back into the attack which underlined the success of the slower bowlers as he immediately got Carter out off a thick edge after the batsman tried to go over mid–wicket again.
Carter made 34 from 36 balls, which included five fours and one six. The score was 176 at the fall of the fourth wicket, leaving Smith and the incoming batsman, Alcindo Holder to take up the slack with the innings winding down.
But the responsibility was too much for Holder as Ingram disturbed his stumps as a result of a mistimed cut shot; he departed for two and the time was ripe for Smith to dominate the remainder of the match–which he did in style.
Barring a dropped chance at mid–wicket, Mathew Sinclair the culprit with Smith poised on 44, the crafty batsman took advantage of Santokie to raise his half century–hitting the pacer for a massive six over long on.
The battle continued when Smith hoisted Santokie‘s last delivery in the final over of their innings onto Regent Street for six. The feat triggered sounds of amusement from the pocketful of spectators around the venue.
The featured Brenton Parchment did not get Jamaica off to the ambitious start they were hoping he provides. He was out lbw off the steady bowling of former West Indies swing bowler, Pedro Collins after facing seven balls.
Parchment made duck and the consistent opening burst continued with another former West Indian, Corey Collymore operating from the other end. The pair placed the Jamaicans under pressure to score at an appropriate rate.
Collins finished with 3–39 from nine overs while Collymore, though wicket–less, only conceded 25 runs from his 10 overs. Ryan Hinds had 3–40 from 10 overs while Smith and Best took 1–48 and 1–40 respectively.
Horace Miller took on a wayward Tino Best, who came unto the attack following the first exchange. Miller smashed Best for a few devastating blows before Hinds got him out caught at short mid–off for 42 runs.
Miller’s knock included five boundaries and a six from 65 balls. But Before Miller went, Hinds had bowled Dave Bernard for a slow paced 26 runs off 52 balls that included four boundaries with the score on 67.  Miller fell with the Jamaicans on 78 and a run–out that ensued when Hyatt was left mid–way down the pitch, further placed the defending champions on the back foot with the run chase palpitating on 97 for the loss of four wickets.
The innings was in desperate need of a hero and at times, it seem as though Lambert was heading into the annals of history with a great knock. The chubby Lambert batted with exceptional class in an attempt to salvage victory.
He ran diligently, he played each ball on its merit, he became a pinch hitter and did all he can but in the end, the absence of support and need to accelerate got the better of Lambert for an accomplished 76 runs.
Lambert’s score included six boundaries and three sixes before he was out caught at deep mid–wicket to leave the score on 218. Three wickets: Ingram (25, 164–5), Hibbert (15, 197–6) and Santokie (0, 198–7) went before Lambert.
The Barbadians sealed the victory when Elliot was run out looking to scamper a run. The winners celebrated with discipline understanding the task ahead. The race toward the President’s Cup continues today.
A win against the formidable Barbadians looked improbable from the start as the Jamaicans missed Chris Gayle, Carlton Baugh, Shawn Findlay, Xavier Marshall, Nikita Miller, Brendan Nash, Daren Powell and Jerome Taylor.
The eight players are currently on tour with the West Indies team for the three–match One Day International Fortune Cup series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

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