Kantasingh stars as bowlers dominate in Barbados

Kantasingh stars as bowlers dominate in Barbados




Jamaica's top order put up a strong response, taking their side to within 99 runs of England Lion's first-innings total, with six wickets remaining, after Chris Woakes propelled England Lions to 358 at Sabina Park. Resuming at 340 for 9, Woakes and Nathan Buck extended their last-wicket stand to 55 before Sheldon Cotterrell ended the innings by dismissing Woakes for 115. Jamaica's response was set on the right course by the openers Simon Jackson and Danza Hyatt, who added 126 in 31.1 overs. Neither batsman could push on after getting to his half-century, though, and it was up to Marlon Samuels and Brendan Nash to build on the start. Samuels was the next to fall for 58, continuing the trend of throwing away starts. Tamar Lambert could not last long either, and the two late wickets revived England Lions' hopes, though Nash was firm on 56 at stumps.

It was wickets galore at the Three Ws Oval in Barbados, as Kavesh Kantasingh skittled the hosts for 90, before Combined Campuses and Colleges barely managed a first-innings lead, crumbling to 113 in their first innings. Things were not much better in Barbados' second innings as they limped to 17 for 2 by stumps. A wicket-fest seemed unlikely when Barbados' openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Jason Haynes added 32 for the opening wicket. Left-arm spinner Kantasingh then got into the act, removing Brathwaite for 7. Haynes was reduced to a spectator at the non-striker's end as his top-order colleagues succumbed for single-digit scores. Shane Dowrich was the only batsman to offer any resistance with 20, while Haynes contributed 49 before being run out. Kantasingh finished with dream figures of 14-7-22-7. CCC's innings ran into early turbulence, and at 14 for 4, they looked unlikely to get the first-innings lead. Floyd Reifer, Nkruma Bonner and Brathwaite were the only batsmen to get into double figures, as Barbados, led by Ryan Hinds kept striking regularly. Kantasingh got the new ball in the second innings, and prised out one more wicket while Kevin McLean struck from his end to leave Barbados in trouble once again.

Lendl Simmons was at his fluent best for Trinidad & Tobago ,who won the toss, and marched to 291 for 4 by stumps on the first day against Guyana at Providence Stadium. Brandon Bess struck early for Guyana, removing Tishan Maraj, but Simmons was unmoved through the day. He shared significant stands with Daren Ganga, Jason Mohammed and Dinesh Ramdin to propel his side into a position of strength. Mohammed contributed 67 before he was dismissed by Ronsford Beaton. Simmons ended the day on 134 not out, and Ramdin was giving him company with 32, having added 67 runs in an unbeaten fifth-wicket stand.

Only 33 overs of play were possible at Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia, but that was enough for Windward Islands to reduce Leeward Islands to a worrying 62 for 5. The wickets were shared around, with Keon Peters getting 2 for 12 in his eight overs, while Mervin Matthew, Gary Mathurin and Liam Sebastien picked up one apiece. Jaison Peters and Jacques Taylor held on grimly, and will hope to push their side past the crisis on the second day.