POINTE-A-PIERRE (CMC):BARBADOS CLAIMED the upper hand over Trinidad and Tobago on the opening day of the 2005-06 Carib Beer Challenge final following a post-tea collapse by the hosts at Guaracara Park yesterday.
In spite of a responsible 84 by opener Lendl Simmons, Trinidad and Tobago lost their way after passing 100 with only one wicket down and closed on 223 for eight.
Barbados were indebted to left-armers Pedro Collins, Ian Bradshaw and captain Ryan Hinds for their fightback.
Collins, who removed star batsman Brian Lara for two, finished with three for 40 from 17 overs, while fellow fast-medium Bradshaw took two for 54 off 17 overs and spinner Hinds had two for 48 in 23 overs.
Simmons, who has found the Barbados attack to his liking of late, featured in three meaningful partnerships while dropping anchor for four hours and 50 minutes in front of an estimated crowd of more than 5,000.
Apart from Simmons, the only other useful scores came from Rayad Emrit (37 not out) and Dwayne Bravo (25).
Simmons, a slimly-built right-hander struck 12 fours off 206 balls before he was fourth out at the start of a collapse in which Trinidad and Tobago lost four wickets for nine runs.
Trinidad and Tobago, choosing to bat first, made a sound start to post 41 for the opening stand before Corey Collymore, on his return to competitive cricket following knee surgery in Australia in December, won a lbw verdict against captain Daren Ganga, who was struck on the pad as he offered no stroke.
On a slow responsive pitch, Barbados' bowlers found it tough in the opening session in which Trinidad and Tobago made encouraging, if slow progress to reach 55 for one at lunch.
The pace did not pick up in the second session in which 57 runs were added for the loss of two wickets, both of which went to Collins.
After Simmons and Bravo added 59 for the second wicket, Collins induced Bravo into edging a drive to first slip where Floyd Reifer took a comfortable catch.
It heralded the arrival of champion batsman Brian Lara who was greeted by a rousing ovation, but his stay was short-lived.
Lara had batted for 17 minutes, faced 12 balls and when he missed a full length ball from Collins and was trapped lbw as he shuffled across his stumps.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 1st Innings
L. Simmons c Smith b Hinds 84D. Ganga lbw b Collymore 18
D. Bravo c Reifer b Collins 25
B. Lara lbw b Collins 2
J. Mohammed c Reifer b Bradshaw 16
+D. Ramdin b Hinds 0
R. Kelly b Bradshaw 3
R. Emrit not out 37
M. Dillon b Collins 7
D. Mohammed not out 11
Extras (lb3, nb17) 20
TOTAL (8 wkts, 90 overs) 223
Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-100, 3-109, 4-161, 5-162, 6-162, 7-170, 8-203.
To bat: A. Jaggernauth.
Bowling: Collins 17-7-40-3 (nb6), Bradshaw 17-1-54-2 (nb6), Collymore 12-6-22-1 (nb3), Smith 12-5-21-0, Hinds 23-7-48-2, Austin 9-0-35-0.
