BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

An unbroken 77-run, second-wicket stand between opener Rajindra Chandrika and left-hander Leon Johnson gave Guyana strong hope of chasing down a huge victory target of 378 in their second round Regional Four-Day match against Barbados yesterday.

Chandrika was not out on 40 and Johnson unbeaten on 39, as the Guyanese reached 94 for one in their second innings at the close on the third day of the contest at Kensington Oval.

Earlier, Barbados declared their second innings on 235 for seven about half-an-hour after tea, after resuming the day nought without loss.

Opener Rashidi Boucher hit the top score of a career-best 81, Roston Chase made 49, Kraigg Brathwaite supported with 27, while Jonathan Carter weighed in with 25 and Shane Dowrich 24.

Off-spinner Steven Jacobs was the most successful Guyana bowler, with two for 49 from 17 overs.

Left-arm spinner replaces captainZaheer Mohammed has replaced left-arm spinner Veerasamy Permaul, the captain, in the Guyana side for the remainder of the match, after the left-arm spinner was drafted into the West Indies squad, which start preparations this week for their one-day series against Zimbabwe.

Guyana are currently third in the standings with six points after taking first-innings points over Leeward Islands in their drawn first-round match, and Barbados are tied at the bottom with Combined Campuses & Colleges with no points following a 63-run loss in their opening match against Jamaica.