Barbados poised for outright win

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):Wicketkeeper/batsman Shane Dowrich narrowly missed on his maiden first-class century when he stroked ha career-best, unbeaten 95 as Barbados took command of their sixth-round West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-Day Tournament first-class match against the Leeward Islands at Kensington Oval here yesterday.

Dowrich, in his 14th first-class match, was at the crease for 234 minutes, faced 189 balls and hit 10 boundaries. Batting at No. 7, the 20-year-old Young West Indies player featured in two vital half-century partnerships to propel Barbados to 317 all out, after they resumed the second day on 134 for five. Gavin Tonge took three for 35 off 13.2 overs and Anthony Martin three for 78 off 26 overs.

After grabbing a first-innings lead of 179, Barbados had the Leewards struggling on 121 for five in their second innings at the close - still 58 runs in arrears with five wickets standing.

Opener Austin Richards has so far top scored with 51 before he became the first of three wickets for out-of-favour West Indies left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn.

At stumps, wicketkeeper Devon Thomas was unbeaten on 26, with fellow Antiguan Hayden Walsh Jr on 14.

Resuming the day with Hope on 26 and Dowrich, six, Barbados soon picked up first-innings points and eventually consolidated.

The pair added 66 in 24.4 overs before Hope was caught at slip by Williams from a drive off leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr for 63.