BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Test batsman Shai Hope showcased his immense batting capabilities with a flawless century as Barbados Pride closed in on victory against Windward Islands Volcanoes on the third day of the sixth round match here Sunday.
The polished right-hander struck 162 – his third first class century – to power the hosts to 450 for five declared and a healthy first innings lead of 200 runs at Kensington Oval.
Part-time off-spinner Roston Chase then grabbed three for 19 and left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, two for 38, to leave Volcanoes in trouble at 134 for seven – a deficit of 66 runs going into Monday’s final day.
Keddy Lesporis top-scored with 29 while Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher both got 25 but the visitors lost wickets steadily to leave themselves in danger of defeat.
The headlines belonged to Hope, however. Starting the day on 98, he reached triple figures in the second over of the morning off 191 balls with eight fours.
The 22-year-old, who has played six Test matches as a top order batsman with limited success, used the opportunity to remind the West Indies selectors of his abilities.
Overall, he faced 276 balls and hit 17 boundaries in a shade under 6-½ hours. The knock was his second century against Volcanoes following his career-best 211 at the same venue last season.
Hope added 52 for the third wicket with Shamarh Brooks (18) and 40 for the fourth wicket with Carlos Brathwaite (27). He eventually fell to a catch behind off Shane Shilingford in the second session to give Andre Fletcher his fourth dismissal of the innings.
The home side stretched their innings into the second session with Chase playing freely for 40 not out off 64 balls and keeper Shane Dowrich making a brisk 24 not out off 39 balls.
When the declaration came half-hour before tea, Volcanoes then batted recklessly and at one stage the innings looked unlikely to last the day.
It required rearguard action from tail-enders Shillingford – 17 not out in an hour off 48 balls and left-hander Kevin McClean – three not out off 35 balls, to avoid a crushing defeat.
With 26 runs on the board, opener Tyrone Theophile flashed at an out-swinger from Miguel Cummins and was taken by Dowrich and Charles was bowled between bat and pad by seamer Carlos Brathwaite, who used the new ball with Kemar Roach unavailable due to injury.
Sunil Ambris made just three before he was taken low at slip by substitute Jonathan Carter off Benn and Chase then sent back Lesporis and Kavem Hodge (0) off successive deliveries to leave Volcanoes rocking on 80 for five.
Lesporis was snapped up by Benn at slip and Hodge missed a full delivery and was comprehensively bowled.
Chase’s third wicket came when Andre Fletcher was caught behind as he skied a wild swing which was aimed towards midwicket.
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Scores:
VOLCANOES 250 (Andre Fletcher 84, Kavem Hodge 53, Shane Shillingford 28; Miguel Cummings 5-47, Sulieman Benn 3-65) and 134 for seven (Keddy Lesporis 29, Johnson Charles 25, Andre Fletcher 25; Roston Chase 3-19, Sulieman Benn 2-38)
PRIDE 450 for five decl. (Shai Hope 162, Kraigg Brathwaite 117, Roston Chase 40 not out, Kyle Corbin 38, Carlos Brathwaite 27; Johnson Charls 2-51, Shane Shillingford 2-131)
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VOLCANOES 1st Innings 250
PRIDE 1st Innings
(overnight 272 for two)
*K Brathwaite c wkp Fletcher b Charles 117
K Corbin c wkp Fletcher b Sebastien 38
S Hope c wkp Fletcher b Shillingford 162
S Brooks c wkp Fletcher b Charles 18
C Brathwaite lbw b Shillingford 27
R Chase not out 40
+S Dowrich not out 24
Extras (b8, lb1, nb15) 24
TOTAL (5 wkts decl, 131 overs) 450
Did not bat: M Cummins, S Benn, A Nurse, K Roach.
Fall of wickets: 1-93, 2-261, 3-313, 4-353, 5-413.
Bowling: Matthew 20-8-47-0 (nb3), McClean 14.5-0-56-0, Peters 19.1-4-47-0 (nb3), Shillingford 34-2-131-2 (nb6), Sebastien 31-3-91-1 (nb2), Hodge 3-1-18-0 (nb1), Charles 9-0-51-2.
VOLCANOES 2nd Innings
T Theophile c wkp Dowrich b Cummins 6
J Charles b C Brathwaite 25
K Lesporis c Benn b Chase 29
S Ambris c (sub) J Carter b Benn 3
+A Fletcher c wkp Dowrich b Chase 25
K Hodge b Chase 0
*L Sebastian c Corbin b Benn 7
S Shillingford not out 17
K McClean not out 3
Extras (b14, kb4, nb1) 19
TOTAL (7 wkts, 49 overs) 134
Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-43, 3-46, 4-80, 5-80, 6-104, 7-112.
Bowling: Cummins 9-2-34-1 (nb1), C Brathwaite 5-0-25-1, Benn 19-5-38-2, Chase 15-10-19-3, Nurse 1-1-0-0.
Position: Volcanoes trail by 66 runs with three wickets intact.
Umpires: C Taylor & L Reifer Jr.