da dobrowin： Barbados’ distress of bowing out at the semifinal stage ofthe Red Stripe Bowl for three successive years was finallytransformed here yesterday, courtesy of a fabulous FloydReifer hundred and a sterling supporting cast
Haydn Gill13-Oct-2001Barbados’ distress of bowing out at the semifinal stage ofthe Red Stripe Bowl for three successive years was finallytransformed here yesterday, courtesy of a fabulous FloydReifer hundred and a sterling supporting cast.Their 49-run victory against Trinidad and Tobago representeda crushing margin in the end, but it belied the nature of acontest the opponents had dominated for the first 30 overs.That Barbados were able to convert a worrying 24 for threeinto a challenging 219 for five was a reflection of steelyresolve which was lifted to a further level when theydefended the total against Brian Lara and company.Determined not to falter at this hurdle again, they held aserious team meeting on Thursday night in which the playersseemed to have gotten the message about how to approach thegame. They must thank Reifer for a spot in tomorrow’schampionship game against Guyana, their first final since1995. His unbeaten 104 off 125 balls with seven fours andtwo sixes was made in the company of Ryan Hinds, CourtneyBrowne and Ian Bradshaw, who all played a part in a splendidrecovery.It had been sheer turmoil for Barbados during the first 15overs when Sherwin Campbell, Adrian Griffith and DaleRichards could not even find the odd single against mean,direct fast bowling from Mervyn Dillon and Marlon Black on apitch that contained early moisture.It appeared a forgone conclusion that Barbados would belucky to get anywhere near 150. But the uncertainties ofthis glorious game were revealed for the remainder of theinnings in which only a further two wickets fell.First, it was careful consolidation, followed by awesomeaggression. For 24.5 overs, Reifer and Hinds rebuiltBarbados’ foundations with a fourth-wicket stand of 103 thatwas highlighted by a common-sense approach, brisk runningbetween the wickets and measured enterprise. Reifer has abig reputation as a fine player of spin bowling and it wasdemonstrated by his expert handling of Dave Mohammed andDinanath Ramnarine, who never posed a threat and concededmore than five runs an over.Hinds’ role was just as important in an innings of 38 off 63balls before another direct hit from Dillon running in fromdeep mid-on brought about his downfall in the 39th over withBarbados on 127 for four.The proceedings dramatically changed with Browne’s two sixesin successive overs off Ramnarine and Mohammed and the tempowas further lifted in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 74in 51 balls between Reifer and Bradshaw that climaxed theinnings in grand style.Pedro Collins, who seemingly relishes the opportunity tobowl at Brian Lara, was promptly recalled when the championleft-hander walked to the middle with Trinidad and Tobago on45 for two in the 18th over. With a few dark clouds hoveringaround the Kaiser Sports Club, Lara immediately tried to getafter Collins, but gave a catch to mid-off that was acceptedby Adrian Griffith, who had earlier taken one to claimanother danger man, no-nonsense opener Andy Jackson.As Lara walked off, out for six, the sun came back out itsall its brilliance and Barbados knew they had won the matchin Collins’ next over when Daren Ganga drove a catch tocover.The remainder of the innings was a formality as Trinidad andTobago struggled to 170 for nine.