PORT OF SPAIN – Leaders and title-holders Barbados Pride took command against Windward Islands Volcanoes, dismissing them for 203 and then marching to 109 for one in reply in the West Indies Championship on Wednesday.
Pacer Ramon Simmonds grabbed 3-25 and off-spinner Roston Chase captured 3-46 to undermine the Volcanoes after they decided to bat on the first day of the fifth-round match at the Diego Martin Sports Complex.
Teddy Bishop top scored with 44 for Volcanoes, who lost wickets steadily before they were dismissed in the first half-hour after tea.
Raymon Reifer then led Pride’s reply, stroking a breezy, unbeaten 56 off 53 balls to ensure the Barbadian side only trailed by 94 at the close.
Left-hander Shayne Moseley fell for seven in the sixth over of the innings, caught at second slip driving at a wide delivery from pacer Ryan John.
But Reifer punched 10 fours to dominate an unbroken 97-run, second wicket stand with West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite, not out on 39, as Pride flourished.
Earlier, prolific left-hander Devon Smith made 11 before Chase bowled him.
Three wickets went down for 28 and Volcanoes were wobbling on 56 for three, but Bishop put on 30 for the fourth wicket with captain Kavem Hodge and 27 for the fifth wicket with Ackeem Auguste to steady the innings.
Bishop fell after lunch, recklessly skying a delivery from Miguel Cummins to mid-off and Larry Edward was the only other Volcanoes batsman to show any grit with a patient 37.
In the other crucial match, left-hander Paul Palmer struck a fourth first-class hundred and Jamaica Scorpions frustrated title challengers Leeward Islands Hurricanes.
Scorpions were reeling at 10 for three when Palmer arrived to hit a career-best 143 not out and guide Scorpions to 302 all out at the close at Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
At Queen’s Park Oval, Jeremy Solozano led the way with 72 and Jason Mohammed made 68, and propped up hosts Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and helped them reach 203 for nine, after pacer Keemo Paul threatened to put Guyana Harpy Eagles in control with a spell of 5-41.
(AR/CMC)