COOLIDGE, Antigua – 15 February 2008 –Jonathan Carter and Ryan Hinds did it again for Barbados. They batted Barbados into the semi-finals of the Stanford 20/20 tournament with a comfortable 54-run win over Grenada at the Stanford Cricket Ground on Friday. Chasing Barbados’ 152 for four, Grenada, batting one man short (Heron Campbell injured his finger while fielding), fell for 98 in 18.1 overs. Like last year, Barbados will face arch rival Trinidad & Tobago in next Friday’s first semi-final.
After the early loss Dale Richards (two), run out, and Patrick Browne, who recently returned from West Indies duties in South Africa, brilliantly stumped by Andre Fletcher off Denis George for seven at 14-2, Carter and Hinds took matters into their own hands.
In doing so, both played a replica of their innings against Dominica, in their 105-run third wicket stand, which rescued Barbados on windy Friday night.
Hinds, promoted to No. 3 and Carter, who also moved a notch up, again batted sensibly as they mixed aggression with patient. Carter, however, was more aggressive and this was evident when he hit Rawle Lewis over mid-wicket for six to bring up the 50 partnership – 29 of which came off his bat while Hinds had only 15.
Hinds, who carefully picked the deliveries, watched as Carter continued to blaze the trail at the other end. He brought up his half century off 39 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes, one of which went very close to the clock. The first batsman to hit the clock will get US$100,000.
Carter, who was put down on 12, 43 and 53, was eventually dismissed, caught on the long-on boundary off Ronald Ettienne. He batted for 49 deliveries and stuck four sixes and as many fours in making 61.
His dismissal brought Captain Dwayne Smith to the crease, but he went as fast as he came, run out without facing a ball, at which time Hinds decided open his arm.
In doing so, the West Indies discarded, hit two consecutive fours off John Sylvester in the 19th over, but it was a little too late for him to get what would have been a well-deserved half century, as Alcindo Holder faced all deliveries in the final over. Hinds was left unbeaten on 45, which included four fours and a six off 48 balls while Holder was not out on 22.
Requiring to score 7.65 runs per over, Grenada needed a sound start, but received the opposite when Andre Fletcher (four) ran himself out and Rondell Baptiste edged left-arm spinner Suileman Benn behind for Browne to do the rest at 11-2.
Left-arm orthodox spinner Derrick Bishop replaced Best, who was received some lashing from Devon Smith at the opposite end, and immediately was rewarded when he trapped the dangerous Smith (17) and Clyde Telesford (three) leg before at 26 for four.
Benn ended with a record economical figure of 2-4 off four overs when he had John Sylvester brilliantly caught by Hinds at 27 for five.
However, Grenada’s lower order stood around for a while as Lewis (18) and Ronald Ettienne (13) put on 19 for the sixth wicket. Lewis and Camilus Alexander (20) also added 18 for the seventh while the latter and Denis George (12) added 29 runs for the eighth, the best of the innings.
Bishop was the best bowler with 3-19 off his four overs.
Smith was pleased with his team’s performance. He also praised the efforts of Carter and Hinds, along with Benn, who opened the bowling.
“The guys put on a 105-run partnership, which was good for us,” he said. “Carter went out there and did what was asked of him, and again Benn gave us a good start with the ball.
Grenada’s captain Lewis blamed his team’s defeat too many mistakes.
“We made too many mistakes in the field,” he said. “They probably made about 30 or 35 runs too much, but saying that I think 150 was good,” he added. “….but we needed a good start and we did not get that, wickets just kept falling, thus making it hard for you to play your normal game”
Teams
Barbados – Dwayne Smith, Sulieman Benn, Derrick Bishop, Jonathan Carter, Ryan Hinds, Patrick Browne, Rayn Nurse, Dale Richards, Khalid Springer, Tino Best and Alcindo Holder.
Vasbert Drakes – Coach, Livington Coppin – Manager, Dexter Toppin – Assistant Coach, Sir Everton Weekes – Legend.
Grenada – Rawle Lewis, Devon Smith, Heron Campbell, Andre Fletcher, Denis George, Nelon Pascal, Rondell Baptiste, Clyde Sylvester, Ronald Ettienne, Camilus Alexander.
Dwain Gill – Coach, Steve Mahon – Manager, Joel Garner – Legend..
