BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Half-centuries from left-hander Omar Phillips and wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich led a steady Barbados batting effort on the opening day of their fourth-round clash with Trinidad and Tobago.

At the close at Kensington Oval, the hosts were 243 for five after earlier winning the toss and choosing to bat first in the Regional Four-Day, fourth-round contest.

Phillips, who played two Tests for West Indies during a players’ strike five years ago, top-scored with 67, while Dowrich was unbeaten on exactly 50.

Left-hander Jonathan Carter chipped in with 45, while West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards got 41, to provide support for Barbados as they kept T&T in the field all day.

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, with two for 33, and leg-spinner Imran Khan, two for 68, have been the most successful bowlers.

Barbados had a shaky start, when their captain Kraigg Brathwaite missed a full-length delivery from Gabriel and was leg before wicket without scoring in the day’s third over, without a run on the board.

However, Phillips and Edwards then added 73 for the second wicket, to take Barbados to lunch in a solid position. Phillips faced 157 balls in a shade under four hours at the crease and struck 11 fours, while Edwards was at the crease for 77 balls and 112 minutes, and registered three fours and a six.

Barbados suffered a setback in the second over after lunch when Edwards was bowled by Gabriel, without addition to the score.

Phillips and Carter then buckled down in an 82-run third wicket stand after lunch to keep T&T’s bowlers at bay. Dropped on 42 by Adrian Barath off Gabriel, Phillips brought up his 11th first-class half-century before finally falling on the stroke of tea, caught close-in by Barath off Khan at 155 for three.

Three overs later into the final session with just nine runs added, Carter followed when he was lbw to Khan, after counting five fours and a six off 112 balls in just over two hours at the crease.

Roston Chase (12) put on another 38 for the fifth wicket with Dowrich before nicking Khan behind, but Carlos Brathwaite arrived at the crease to help see Barbados to the close, in an unbroken 41-run, sixth-wicket stand.

Dowrich has so far batted 88 balls and 111 minutes, and hit seven fours.