BARBADOS held a slight advantage against the Leeward Islands on day one of the first day’s play of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) regional four-day 2010 cricket series at Kensington Park in east Kingston yesterday.

Barbados were 74 without loss at close of play with the enterprising Dale Richards on 45 and Jason Haynes on 19 after dismissing the Leeward Islands for 236 in 77 overs and five balls.

After the Leewards won the toss and elected to bat, Barbados’ quick bowlers Pedro Collins and Kemar Roach troubled both openers on a pitch that appeared a bit sluggish in the early exchanges.

Left-hander Kieran Powell and Montcin Hodge were both lucky to have escaped with edges through the slip cordon. The former again must have thanked the heavens when he had his mid-stump knocked back by Roach, only to hear the umpire’s call of no-ball.

Powell’s uncomfortable stay at the wicket eventually ended when legspinner Nikolai Charles had him caught at mid-off by Stoute for 13. It was soon 25 for tewo when Hodge edged medium pacer Stoute through to Patrick Browne for 10.

Tonito Willett was adjudged to have edged part-time spinner Ryan Hinds through to Browne one over before lunch for 10. Captain Steve Liburd joined Morton and they brought the score through to 60 for three after 30 overs.

After the break Morton continued positively to Hinds, lobbing him straight a couple times for boundaries.

He was then run out after driving to mid-off to Roach whose throw to wicketkeeper Browne beat Morton’s dive into the crease.

Liburd then inside edged a full slower ball from Collins unto his stumps to leave the Leewards in a pickle at 98 for five.

Omari Banks and wicketkeeper batsman Devon Thomas then put on exactly 50 before Hinds had Banks caught at short leg by Jason Haynes for 31.

Thomas went softly for a top score of 39 when he drove a full toss from leg-spinning all-rounder Shamarh Brooks to Hinds at short cover with the score at 173 for seven.

Justin Athanaze with 31 from 55 balls and Gavin Tonge with 32 from 44 balls then took advantage of curious tactics by Hinds to persevere with his left-arm orthodox spin from the southern end, launching him for straight sixes.

Just as perplexing was the captain’s decision to delay the return of the neat and tidy Stoute to the bowling attack. Many also thought Brooks was at a disadvantage since he was operating from the northern end which has the shorter of the straight boundaries.

Stoute was eventually called on and had immediate success when he dismissed both Athanaze and Tonge, to finish with three wickets for 21 off nine overs. Lionel Baker was left not out on seven.

Hinds, in the meantime, finished with three for 64 off 24.5 overs when he dismissed last man Anthony Martin leg before wicket for nought. Collins, Charles and Brooks all finished with one wicket, while West Indies pacer Roach finished wicketless for 47 runs off 14 overs.