KEON HARDING captured his maiden five-wicket haul and Shayne Moseley completed his second first-class century as Barbados Pride confirmed their second-place finish with a crushing victory over Jamaica Scorpions in the Digicel Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Competition at Kensington Oval yesterday.
Set an unrealistic task of scoring 350 to win off a minimum 57 overs after 33 overs were lost due to rain, the Scorpions slumped to 133 all out in 25.5 overs.
The slimly-built Harding led the demolition with five for 66, achieving the “five for” when Marquino Mindley was caught at the wicket by stand-in keeper Jonathan Carter to secure victory for the Pride. Carter, keeping in place of the injured Shane Dowrich, pouched five catches in the innings.
It was Harding who set the home side on the victory path when it seemed that the time lost to rain would improve Jamaica’s chances of holding out for a draw. No play was possible in the morning session and after an early lunch was taken at 11:30 a.m., play got started at 12:55 p.m.
Moseley was the first to take centre stage, completing his second century in this his first season with a classy straight-drive for four off Mindley. He reached his century off 173 balls in 183 minutes with a six and 11 fours. From an overnight position of 147 without loss, Barbados declared on 169 without loss with Moseley unbeaten on 100, having started the day on 87 and Kraigg Brathwaite moving from 50 to 58 not out.
Harding strikes early
Harding (5-66) got among the Jamaicans from early, removing both openers Chadwick Walton and John Campbell to leave the visitors 42 for three in the ninth over of the innings. Between their dismissals, Chemar Holder prised out Andre McCarthy, well caught by Brooks low down at second slip.
Paul Palmer got off the mark with a crisp straight drive for four off Harding but he failed to keep down the next delivery and lobbed a catch to substitute fielder Haydn Walsh Jr at point. Harding also induced an edge from an uncertain prod by West Indies middle-order batsman Jermaine Blackwood and Carter, who did an admirable job behind the stumps, took the catch as the Scorpions slipped to 69 for five.
Fabian Allen and Rovman Powell put together the highest partnership of the innings but the 28-run sixth wicket union ended when Allen cut pacer Justin Greaves (2-11) straight to Walsh at point at which stage the players went to tea at 97 for six.
The Scorpions’ 100 was raised in the final session in 107 minutes but shortly after Derval Green steered Greaves to Roston Chase at third slip.
Left-arm pacer Dominic Drakes, son of former Barbados and West Indies all-rounder Vasbert Drakes, took his first wicket at the first-class level in his debut game when he had Nikita Miller caught at the wicket by Carter.
Drakes (2-11) bowled Powell as he attempted a big drive and it was then left to the wiry Harding to complete the win with the wicket of Mindley.
Souce: Philip Hackett – NationNews
