Pride in charge at Sabina Park

On a sun-baked opening day at Sabina Park, Barbados Pride turned the screws on hosts Jamaica Scorpions, posting a commanding 346 for five after winning the toss and opting to bat on another placid surface on the opening day of the third round of matches in the West Indies Championship.

But the story of the day was as much about Jamaica’s sloppiness in the field as it was about Barbados’ grafting half-centuries and late-innings acceleration.

At the first water break, Pride had inched to 39 without loss, with captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Shayne Moseley surviving a probing opening spell from debutant left-arm fast-bowler Khari Campbell.

The Melbourne CC seamer bowled with the control of a seasoned campaigner, beating the outside edge multiple times and drawing two chances that should have changed the complexion of the innings.

First, Brandon King shelled a diving attempt at cover to reprieve Moseley, who was on 10.

Then, Abhijai Mansingh, stationed at deep fine leg, put down a skied Brathwaite hook shot. Two let-offs that would haunt the Scorpions.

Moseley made them pay briefly, combining with Brathwaite for a half-century stand, but on 55, he was undone by sharp work in the field as Marquino Mindley’s direct hit from mid-off caught him just short of his ground when on 23.

At lunch, Barbados were 84 for one, Brathwaite unbeaten on 33 and Jonathan Drakes on 16, and the second session belonged entirely to the visitors.

Brathwaite, true to his sedate nature, crawled to his half-century off 107 balls, a testament to the slow nature of the pitch.

But at the other end, Drakes brought up his 50 from just 65 deliveries, peppering the boundary with crisp drives and pulls.

The pair added 145 for the second wicket, forcing Jamaica captain John Campbell to ring through frequent bowling changes.

The stand was finally broken when Brathwaite, on 74, nicked Odean Smith to Campbell at slip. He had struck seven fours in his 164-ball vigil.

Barbados moved to 200 for two, but the relaxation after drinks cost them.

In-form Kevin Wickham, fresh off a century in the previous round, fell for just five, chipping Brad Barnes back to the bowler at 207 for three.

Then came the day’s most dramatic passage. Jonathan Drakes, cruising on 94, suddenly lost all composure.

Having hit 12 fours and a six, he charged Brad Barnes only to be expertly stumped by the wicketkeeper Romaine Morris, agonisingly short of another first-class hundred.

Worse would follow for the Pride as Khari Campbell, back for a third spell and still hunting his first wicket at this level, rapped Kyle Mayers on the pad, only for umpire Chris Taylor’s finger to go up. Mayers gone for one, and a maiden wicket for Campbell.

At 215 for five, the innings was wobbling. But Roston Chase, as he has done so often for Barbados, steadied the ship and then seized control.

He played with positive intent from ball one, racing to a 46-ball half-century.

Wicketkeeper Leniko Boucher provided watchful support, and together they pushed Barbados past 300 after 80 overs.

At stumps, the pair had added an unbroken 92 for the sixth wicket. Chase finished on 82, having cracked 12 fours and a six. Boucher was on 40, with three fours and a six to his name.

For Jamaica, Barnes, with for 56, was the most successful bowler, and the all-rounder believes they let Barbados off the hook with some loose bowling.

“I am satisfied with how I bowled, but the wicket is a batting-friendly one, and I thought we allowed Barbados to score a bit too freely. We need to be a lot tighter to create more chances and pick up the remaining wickets.”

Drakes believes his team can press on with the advantage.

“We are in a pretty strong position. I fell short at 94, but from a team perspective, I am happy with where we are. We tried to put them under pressure and try to be positive, and hopefully we can continue on day two.