The 18-year-old opening batsman produced a barrage of six-hitting in a run-a-ball 77 that paced Barbados to a six-wicket triumph just after 4 p.m. in spite of early morning defiance from the Africans

The victory, Barbados’ fifth in succession, maintained their 100 per cent winning record and carried them to 60 points.

No team can get more and Barbados will only be denied retention of the Cup if they lose their last two matches and Trinidad and Tobago achieve maximum points in their last two games.

Set 153 in a minimum of 73 overs after Kenya managed to stretch their second innings until after lunch, Barbados were given a blazing start by Nurse, who hoisted six sixes to ensure that the target was reached in only 39.1 overs.

“We are a disciplined team. We basically try to stick to our team plans and try to do the basics right,” Barbados captain Courtney Browne said after the match.

“All the other teams the Kenyans played against, they played a professional game, although the scores might not show it and over the last two days I thought they played a very professional game.”

If Kenya had held on for another 45 minutes or so, the match might have gone down to the wire, but Browne wasn’t worried at any stage. He was more concerned about the weather that caused the loss of half of the third day.

The way his team is playing the possibility of going through the first phase of the competition with a maximum seven wins is a distinct reality.

“I never really thought about it until last week, but at the end of the day I want the Barbados team to do well,” Browne said.

“If it means that we are going to win the last two games, well so be it. I just want the Barbados team to play quality cricket – for young people like Martin Nurse and Ryan Nurse to come for the forefront of Barbados’ cricket.”

It was simply a joy to watch the rampaging Nurse yesterday.

•haydngill@nations.com

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