Bravo scores century for Red Force; Harty’s spin keeps Scorpions in the hunt
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – A 12th first-class hundred for sidelined West Indies batsman Darren Bravo, and a career-best spell for Barbadian all-rounder Justin Greaves captured the headlines in the West Indies Championship on Thursday.
In North Sound, Antigua, Bravo gathered an even 100 – his fifth Championship career hundred – and led consistent batting down the order that carried Trinidad & Tobago Red Force to 369 for eight in their first innings against hosts Leeward Islands Hurricanes on a rain-marred day two in the second round of matches.
In St George’s, Grenada, Windward Islands Volcanoes were 48 for two in their second innings for an overall lead of 173, after a destructive spell from Greaves sent leaders Guyana Harpy Eagles crashing to 169 all out, replying to the home team’s first innings total of 294.
At Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, Jamaica Scorpions were six without loss in their second innings, trailing by 69, after left-arm spinner Patrick Harty defied half-centuries from Shayne Moseley and Shane Dowrich that Barbados Pride tumbling to 216 all out, replying to his side’s first innings total of 140.
Harty ended with 4-23 from 12.5 overs to lead the Scorpions bowling and keep his side in the contest on a day that started late due to adverse weather.
Test pacer Marquino Mindley took 2-25 from 12 overs, and Abhijai Mansingh captured 2-30 from 10 overs with his leg-spin, enabling the Scorpions to gain full bowling bonus points.
Left-hander Moseley made the top score of 82 and Dowrich, the out-of-favour West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman and Pride captain, was not out on 64. They were the only two batsmen who made it past 30.
Moseley added 41 to his overnight score and shared 74 with Dowrich before he fell to Mansingh, and there was little substance and stability from the rest of the batting, though Dowrich did his best to shepherd them the rest of the way.
Scorpions openers Leroy Lugg, not out two, and Tevin Gilzene, not out four, survived a brief period before stumps were drawn.