Barbados’ distress of bowing out at the semifinal stage of
the Red Stripe Bowl for three successive years was finally
transformed here yesterday, courtesy of a fabulous Floyd
Reifer hundred and a sterling supporting cast
Haydn Gill13-Oct-2001Barbados’ distress of bowing out at the semifinal stage of
the Red Stripe Bowl for three successive years was finally
transformed here yesterday, courtesy of a fabulous Floyd
Reifer hundred and a sterling supporting cast.Their 49-run victory against Trinidad and Tobago represented
a crushing margin in the end, but it belied the nature of a
contest the opponents had dominated for the first 30 overs.That Barbados were able to convert a worrying 24 for three
into a challenging 219 for five was a reflection of steely
resolve which was lifted to a further level when they
defended the total against Brian Lara and company.Determined not to falter at this hurdle again, they held a
serious team meeting on Thursday night in which the players
seemed to have gotten the message about how to approach the
game. They must thank Reifer for a spot in tomorrow’s
championship game against Guyana, their first final since
1995. His unbeaten 104 off 125 balls with seven fours and
two sixes was made in the company of Ryan Hinds, Courtney
Browne and Ian Bradshaw, who all played a part in a splendid
recovery.It had been sheer turmoil for Barbados during the first 15
overs when Sherwin Campbell, Adrian Griffith and Dale
Richards could not even find the odd single against mean,
direct fast bowling from Mervyn Dillon and Marlon Black on a
pitch that contained early moisture.It appeared a forgone conclusion that Barbados would be
lucky to get anywhere near 150. But the uncertainties of
this glorious game were revealed for the remainder of the
innings in which only a further two wickets fell.First, it was careful consolidation, followed by awesome
aggression. For 24.5 overs, Reifer and Hinds rebuilt
Barbados’ foundations with a fourth-wicket stand of 103 that
was highlighted by a common-sense approach, brisk running
between the wickets and measured enterprise. Reifer has a
big reputation as a fine player of spin bowling and it was
demonstrated by his expert handling of Dave Mohammed and
Dinanath Ramnarine, who never posed a threat and conceded
more than five runs an over.Hinds’ role was just as important in an innings of 38 off 63
balls before another direct hit from Dillon running in from
deep mid-on brought about his downfall in the 39th over with
Barbados on 127 for four.The proceedings dramatically changed with Browne’s two sixes
in successive overs off Ramnarine and Mohammed and the tempo
was further lifted in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 74
in 51 balls between Reifer and Bradshaw that climaxed the
innings in grand style.Pedro Collins, who seemingly relishes the opportunity to
bowl at Brian Lara, was promptly recalled when the champion
left-hander walked to the middle with Trinidad and Tobago on
45 for two in the 18th over. With a few dark clouds hovering
around the Kaiser Sports Club, Lara immediately tried to get
after Collins, but gave a catch to mid-off that was accepted
by Adrian Griffith, who had earlier taken one to claim
another danger man, no-nonsense opener Andy Jackson.As Lara walked off, out for six, the sun came back out its
all its brilliance and Barbados knew they had won the match
in Collins’ next over when Daren Ganga drove a catch to
cover.The remainder of the innings was a formality as Trinidad and
Tobago struggled to 170 for nine.
