Pride start strongly against Hurricanes

Pacer Keon Harding helped Barbados Pride gain the early edge over Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the West Indies Championship on Wednesday.

Harding grabbed 4-42 from 11.3 overs and Jonathan Carter supported with 2-9 from six overs, and Hurricanes declared their first innings on 172 for nine about 15 minutes after the rescheduled tea break on the rain-interrupted first day of the first round match at Kensington Oval.

Devon Thomas hit the top score of 58, left-hander Kieran Powell made 43, Hurricanes captain Jahmar Hamilton got 29, and Kacey Carty added 29 for the visitors, who batted one man short because fast-medium pacer Jeremiah Louis was unwell.

Incumbent West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite, not out on 11, and fellow Wanderers opener Shayne Moseley, not out on eight, then carried Pride to 27 without loss before bad light stopped play six minutes early with 13 overs remaining.

Harding got the breakthrough for Pride when he had long-serving Hurricanes opener Montcin Hodge caught behind for seven in the first hour and Jomel Warrican trapped Carty lbw in the final over before the visitors took lunch on 72 for two.

Rain and a wet outfield delayed the resumption of play after the interval, but Harding grabbed the scalps of left-handers Powell and Amir Jangoo in the space of 15 balls to send the Hurricanes tottering to 89 for four.

But the Pride were put back on their heels when Thomas and Hamilton linked for a stand of 72 for the fifth wicket before three wickets – two to Carter – sent Hurricanes back on 168 for seven at tea.

After the break, Ramon Simmonds, 20, the former West Indies Under-19 pacer, playing his first match for Pride, and Harding brought a swift end to the Hurricanes end.

Summarised scores:

Hurricanes 172 for nine declared (Devon Thomas 58, Kieran Powell 43, Jahmar Hamilton 29, Kacey Carty 20; Keon Harding 4-42, Jonathan Carter 2-9).

Pride 27 without loss (Kraigg Brathwaite 11 not out).

(AR)

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