BRIDGETOWN, Barbados

(CMC):

Front-runners Jamaica suffered a major setback to their title bid, when Barbados completed a thrilling, come-from-behind 17-run victory in their Carib Beer Cup match yesterday.

In pursuit of 201 for victory, the Jamaicans were dismissed for 183 in their second innings about half-hour before the scheduled lunch interval on the fourth and final day in their fifth round match at Kensington Oval.

The result was formalised when Jerome Taylor tried to upper-cut a short, rising ball from his West Indies fast bowling teammate Fidel Edwards and Barbados captain Dwayne Smith held a fine, leaping catch at third slip.

STILL LEADERS

Jamaica, despite the defeat, still lead the Championship with 46 points - four ahead of second-placed Barbados, but they now have the privilege of clinching the title on home soil, once they conquer Windwards Islands in their final league match, starting on Friday at Chedwin Park.

Barbados have drawn a bye in the next round of matches, but face Trinidad & Tobago in the final round, starting on March 28 at Guaracara Park.

Jamaica continued from their bedtime total of 133 for four and were highly favoured to cross the threshold, but they surrendered meekly. The Jamaican batting was led by Tamar Lambert, whose 46 was the top score and Brendon Nash, who made 37 and put on 72 for the fifth wicket.

Left-arm fast-medium bowler Pedro Collins was the pick of the Barbados bowlers with five wickets for 46 runs from 20 overs to finish with match figures of nine for 108 which earned him the Man-of-the-Match award. Edwards, his younger brother, supported with three for 37 from 8.3 overs.

Immediate setback

The Jamaicans suffered an almost immediate setback when left-hander Brendon Nash was caught behind for 37 off Collins edging a loose drive at a delivery outside the off-stump in the third over of the morning.

Three overs later, Jamaica were hamstrung further, when Carlton Baugh Jr was adjudged lbw for one swinging across the line to Collins.

In the next over, Dave Bernard Jr was also lbw for one, playing back and across to left-arm slow bowler Sulieman Benn for one to leave the visitors on 147 for seven.

Three overs later, the last hope for Jamaica to reach the target was removed when Tamar Lambert was caught at first slip off Edwards for 46 chasing a wide ball before the end soon came.

BARBADOS 1st Innings 167

JAMAICA 1st Innings 257

BARBADOS 2nd Innings 290

JAMAICA 2nd Innings (target: 201 runs)

(overnight 133 for four)

C. Gayle c Holder b Edwards	5
B. Parchment c Richards b Collins	30
X. Marshall c wkpr Browne b Collins	2
D. Hyatt c wkpr Browne b Collins	12
B. Nash c wkpr Browne b Collins	37
T. Lambert c Richards b Edwards	46
+C. Baugh lbw b Collins	1
D. Bernard lbw b Benn	1
N. Miller b Hinds	9
J. Taylor cSmith b Edwards	13
D. Powell not out	0
Extras: (lb11, nb16)	27
TOTAL: (all out)	183
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-17, 3-56, 4-66, 5-138, 6-144, 7-147, 8-165, 9-170. Bowling: Collins 20-3-46-5, Edwards 8.3-0-37-3, Roach 4-0-24-0, Benn 18-4-39-1,Smith 5-0-14-0, Hinds 10-3-12-1. Result: Barbados won by 17 runs. Points: Barbados 12, Jamaica 4. Umpires: D. Holder, T. Birbal. Man-of-the-Match: Pedro Collins (Barbados). More Sport Print this Page Letters to the Editor Most Popular Stories