Brathwaite hits hundred as Barbados, T&T draw

POINTE-A-PIERRE, Trinidad (CMC):

Kraigg Brathwaite stroked his second first-class hundred to help Barbados earn a draw after they conceded first-innings points to Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) in the West Indies Cricket Board Regional Four-day Tournament first-class cricket championship yesterday.

The 18-year-old batting prospect was undefeated on 102 when rain brought an early close to the match, an hour ahead of schedule, with the Barbadians 234 for three in their second innings of the first-round contest at Guaracara Park.

Brathwaite struck eight fours from 278 balls in just over four and a half hours in his first hundred for Barbados in the regional championship.

This followed a monumental, unbeaten 97 from all-rounder Rayad Emrit, which helped T&T gain a first-innings lead when they were dismissed for 412 about 25 minutes after the start, replying to Barbados's first-innings total of 395.

Sensational finish

The pitch continued to hold no devils and Brathwaite and fellow opener Dale Richards batted comfortably when Barbados started the second innings.

Richards was, however, lbw to Jaggernauth for 24 as the visitors reached 88 for one at the lunch interval.

After lunch, Brathwaite and Kirk Edwards continued to score freely. They added 88 for the second wicket to shorten the odds of a Barbadian batting collapse and a sensational finish to the match.

Edwards looked the part and played some excellent shots in his 42 before he gave a return catch to off-spinner Jaggernauth, whose two wickets cost 74 runs from 32 overs.

Barbados continued to bat merrily and reached 193 for three at tea after their captain Ryan Hinds was caught at mid-wicket off Imran Khan for 29 in a stand of 56 for the third wicket.

After the break, Brathwaite and Kyle Hope continued to plod away and the teenager was fortunate that he reached his milestone just before the weather changed.