The most striking result of the second round of the Busta Cup camefrom Bridgetown, Barbados, where the home team, current holders of thetitle, suffered a 71-run defeat at the hands of the under-ratedWindward Islands
Staff Reporter05-Feb-2002The most striking result of the second round of the Busta Cup camefrom Bridgetown, Barbados, where the home team, current holders of thetitle, suffered a 71-run defeat at the hands of the under-ratedWindward Islands.Putting their rivals in to bat, Barbados allowed Devon Smith at thetop of the order to strike a fine 143 to carry his side to a decentfirst-innings total. None of the other batsmen were able to contributein similar manner, with Extras making up the second highest score at44. Windards were bowled out for 327 in under a day, and Barbados musthave been pleased with their effort.The second day, however, saw the hosts bowled out for only 309,despite Courtney Browne’s 161 in the middle order. Suleiman Benn (78)supported him to put up a threatening eighth-wicket partnership, butFernix Thomas’ five-wicket haul put paid to Barbados’ hopes of gaininga first-innings lead. The visitors were then bowled out for 295 intheir second innings, with John Eugene hitting 86 and Ryan Austintaking five wickets for Barbados.Set an imposing target of 314, Barbados were shot out for 242, unableeven to hold on for a draw. Austin followed up his fine bowlingperformance by top-scoring with an unbeaten 56, but that was notenough to take his side to the target. Browne received the Man of theMatch award, but it must have been small consolation for an upsetdefeat.At Jamaica, the home side cleaned up Guyana by seven wickets thanks toa century by Leon Garrick. Batting first, Guyana reached 267 at a veryslow pace, thanks largely to Azeemul Haniff’s 74 and Homchand Pooran’s72. Jamaica took a lead of 104 runs when they scored 371, with Garrickmaking 115 at the top of the order.The visitors performed even worse with the bat in their secondinnings, crumbling to 188 all out in the face of disciplined Jamaicanbowling. Set a target of 85 runs, Jamaica then experienced somehiccups in reaching their goal, but Garrick struck an unbeaten 63 toguide his side home and pick up his Man of the Match award.The visiting side, Bangladesh A, experienced yet more heartburn whenthey were beaten by three wickets by the lightly considered LeewardIslands. Winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bat, but they wereskittled out for only 176, Kerry Jeremy ripping the middle order apartto take 6-33. Leeward’s batsmen did not perform much better, though,bundled out for 199.With a slender deficit, Bangladesh’s batsmen fared much better intheir second essay, making 312 due to some sterling middle-ordercontributions. Mazharul Haque, in particular, hit 89 and saw his sidepast the 200-run mark.Leewards, thus, were set a stiff target of 290. Defying the odds, thebatsmen took their side to a three-wicket win, with Runako Morton inparticular playing a fine hand of 98.Stuart WIIliams, captain andopener, also continued in fine form from his previous matches, making78 at the top of the order. Morton got the Man of the Match award forhis game-winning knock.The final match of the second round, played at Trinidad, saw the homeside win by 10 wickets over West Indies B. Their victory was based ona strong first-innings batting performance that saw Imran Jan andLincoln Roberts hit centuries. Jan made 110 at the top of the orderand shared a big partnership for the third wicket with Roberts, whoscored 146.Trinidad and Tobago followed up their first-innings score of 455 witha fine bowling performance. Mukesh Persad in particular wasimpressive, taking seven wickets and demolishing the middle order.Only opener K Arjune stood his ground, making a defiant unbeaten 109.Bowled out for 264, West Indies B were forced to follow on, and theycould only make a further 238 in their second innings.Trinidad and Tobago were thus set a target of 48, which they reachedwithout any hiccups. The openers struck off the 49 runs in just sixovers, completing a comprehensive domination of their rivals.Expectedly, Persad was named Man of the Match for his spectacularbowling performance.
