JAMAICA Scorpions spinner Peat Salmon credited the opposition batsmen after Barbados Pride secured first-innings honours in the West Indies Championship four-day cricket match at Sabina Park on Tuesday.

At the end of another rain-affected day in the contest the Pride were 460-5 in their reply to the Scorpions’ 457.

Scores: Jamaica 457 (103 ovs); Barbados 460-5 (125 ovs)

Rain interruption on the opening three days and a very flat batting track have combined to potentially reduce the match to a battle for critical first-innings points. Barbados wrapped it up thanks to impressive centuries from sidelined West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite and middle-order batsman Kevin Wickham.

Salmon, who toiled for 30 overs to claim 4-100, including the wickets of Brathwaite and Wickham, said the Pride batsmen made full use of favourable conditions.

“I think the Barbados batsmen really applied themselves to have the chance to make big runs,” the 33-year-old off-break bowler told the Jamaica Observer at close of play.

“It was pretty difficult [to bowl] because the new ball wasn’t seaming around for [the fast bowlers] like we expect a Sabina Park wicket to play. And the spinners didn’t really get any purchase until the umpires changed the ball.”

He rued that the Scorpions gave up first-innings advantage after posing a huge total.

“It’s not a good feeling, because normally when you score 450 runs at the first class level you would expect that you’d be [in a good place] to get first innings,” said Salmon who bowled with decent control to be the pick of the Scorpions bowlers.

Pride skipper Brathwaite, 33, told the Observer claiming the points could prove significant against the backdrop of them sealing a narrow, first-innings edge in the opening encounter of the three-match series last week at Chedwin Park, only to then lose outright.

“Jamaica scored a big total, and we obviously lost some time to rain, so it was important we got past their score. It was a good batting pitch, and I think Jamaica bowled really well today… they didn’t make it easy. There is one day left and we’ll make some plans and come back tomorrow,” Brathwaite noted.

Earlier, Brathwaite and Jonathan Drakes resumed not out on 51 and 17, respectively, with Barbados on 125-1.

Drakes, who played a number of exquisite drives off the front and back foot, represented a rare success for the Jamaicans on the day. He was dismissed by wrist spinner Abhijai Mansingh for a 66-ball 55 which included eight fours and two sixes.

Drakes’s demise at 182-2 brought the in form Wickham to the wicket, and in partnership with the immovable Brathwaite they put the Jamaican bowlers to the sword.

There was a rain break just after tea but, unlike on day two when wet weather wiped out the final session, the sun soon shone through and play resumed to ensure 98 overs were possible on Tuesday.

The hugely experienced Brathwaite patiently nudged, guided and pulled — and even opened his shoulders for a few mighty heaves — en route to the 34th century of his first class career.

The 23-year-old Wickham, with majestic twin centuries last week at Chedwin Park under his belt, was typically assured as he elegantly chalked up his third hundred in as many innings.

After the pair added 195 runs for the third wicket Wickham was sent back to the pavilion, caught at leg slip by Mansingh off the bowling of the persevering Salmon for 105 — his sixth first class hundred. Wickham’s knock comprised 11 fours and a six from 181 deliveries.

Roston Chase, enduring a bad patch with the bat and facing an uncertain future as West Indies Test captain, appeared in a rush, playing a number of aggressive shots before he was caught on the boundary by Carlos Brown off Salmon for a nine-ball 16.

Brathwaite’s vigil eventually came to an end when he played down the wrong line to Salmon and was bowled for 176. He hit 19 fours and one six off 343 deliveries.

Left-hander Kyle Mayers, on 16, and wicketkeeper Leniko Boucher, on 12, carried the Pride past the Scorpions score and to the close of play without further loss — even as the bowlers fought gamely in late afternoon.

— Sanjay Myers

Kevin Wickham of Barbados Pride celebrates scoring a century against Jamaica Scorpions in the West Indies Championship cricket match at Sabina Park on Tuesday. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)