April 18th 2006 by HAYDN GILL in Trinidad Compliments of the Nation News

IF HISTORY is anything to go by, there is still hope for Barbados.

Like cornered lions, they gallantly fought their way out of a desperate situation yesterday in very much the same way they did in the 2004 Carib Beer Challenge final.

Two years ago, they conceded first innings lead by 116 runs against Jamaica and came back to triumph remarkably by 84 runs.

Yesterday, they gave up a first innings advantage of 70 to Trinidad and Tobago and tried to claw their way back into the contest on the third day of the 2005-06 final.

Their fielding was spectacular, highlighted by wicket-keeper Patrick Browne's amazing catch that sent back Brian Lara, his hand in teaming up with Wayne Blackman to complete a run-out, and Dwayne Smith's athleticism that caused another run-out.

With two days remaining, this match is set up wonderfully for a fascinating showdown with Trinidad and Tobago set to resume their second innings with a lead of 207 and five wickets in hand.

As the hosts were seemingly building on their first innings lead after dismissing Barbados for 270 – which represented the first part of the comeback – the match was transformed on its heels with five wickets for 47 runs.

The last of those was Lara for 20, to a stunning catch by Browne after the wicket-keeper stretched to his left to haul in a ball on the second attempt as it was climbing and moving away from him.

As Lara walked off the ground in the closing stages of the day, several of those at Guaracara Park started heading for the exits.

The successful bowler was Dwayne Smith, who had set the tone for the fielding display with a magnificent diving save at cover that was responsible for the run-out of Lendl Simmons after an opening stand of 45.

Blackman, whose times in the field have been patchy, lifted his game with wonderful work to relay the ball to Browne to complete the run-out of Jason Mohammed.

Before Barbados' success, they were again frustrated by a few decisions that went against them. < Read more >

by HAYDN GILL in Trinidad

POINTE-A-PIERRE – Barbados sailed comfortably through Trinidad and Tobago waters and came up with a big catch here yesterday.

For part of opening day of the Carib Beer Challenge final, however, it looked like if they would come up empty-handed at Guaracara Park.

At one stage, they might even have considered asking for a few decisions to be referred to an international arbitration panel when some verdicts were going against them.

But during the last two-and-a-half-hours, Barbados picked up six wickets, and restricted Trinidad and Tobago to 223/8.

One of those wickets included Brian Lara, a victim to Pedro Collins for the fifth time (see accompanying box) to transform an encouraging Trinidad and Tobago platform into a position of decline.

The three left-armers, Pedro Collins, Ian Bradshaw and Ryan Hinds, led the fightback after Trinidad and Tobago, moving slowly but soundly, had reached 109 for two a few minutes away from tea, to the satisfaction
of a 5 000 strong crowd expecting their boys to complete a dream double this season.

By then, Barbados were vastly disappointed with a few decisions that had gone against them and most in favour of Trinidad and Tobago's anchor, Lendl Simmons.

Usually a dasher and with an appetite for runs against Barbados following his 115 and 58 against them nine weeks ago that helped set up Trinidad and Tobago's capture of the Cup, Simmons demonstrated another version of his style to play responsibly for 84 that stretched almost five hours.

Midway into it, however, Barbados might have felt Simmons was out three times.

They were certain he was lbw to Corey Collymore when he was 43 and would have found out later that television replays seemed to suggest Simmons was run out on 47. The Bajans also looked dumbfounded when Simmons was on 48 and the ruling was for a bound ball when Ryan Austin dived to his right to haul in what the visitors believed was a return catch.

Hinds and his men didn't allow the disappointments to get to them. They kept plugging away and were eventually rewarded, with Collins spearheading the revival by removing Lara and Dwayne Bravo in quick succession. < Read more >

haydngill@nationnews.com

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