Brathwaite’s Best Takes Bajans To Second Win

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad – Carlos Brathwaite continued from where Tino Best left off as Barbados made it two wins in a row on Tuesday night. Brathwaite’s heroics came a day after Best took a personal best 4-26 and Man-of-the-Match trophy in a nine-wicket demolition of Leeward Islands at the same venue.

Carlos Brathwaite of Barbados. Photo: WICB Media

Brathwaite, the tall imposing seamer, was handed the new ball and reaped the rewards with a career-best 4-23 to earn the Man-of-the-Match award as the Bajans beat Jamaica by five wickets at Queen’s Park Oval.

Despite being slightly off target in his opening spell, Brathwaite rebounded as Jamaica slipped from 38-0 in the fourth over to be bowled out in the 18th over for 72. The two experienced left-arm spinners – Sulieman Benn with 2-14 and Ryan Hinds with career-best 3-12 – proved a handful on a helpful pitch.

Brathwaite, the 24-year-old, who stand six-feet-four-inches, said it was a quick chat from Benn and skipper Dwayne Smith out in the middle helped to turn things around.

“I have to say thanks to the captain and Benn. After my first two overs they stuck in my ear and let me know I had a big role to play to come back and finish the innings for us. I did that and we came out on top. Winning is the most important thing,” said Brathwaite, who is a member of the Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre.

“The first wicket I got was John Campbell. I got a little flustered after the first few fours he hit off me, but I decided to just calm down. I managed to get his wicket with the last ball of my second over and that started it for us.

“Then coming back, it was just a case of carrying on the good work,” he added. “I got a wicket my first ball [of new spell]. I managed to get two [wicket] nicked off at slip, so I felt good.”

Barbados’ bowling and fielding have been outstanding – as they dismissed both opponents for under 100. On Tuesday captain Smith held four sharp catches – including two at slip off Brathwaite – to set a new record for his country as an outfielder.

Barbados ended the third day on top the standings with a maximum eight points from two wins. They are followed defending champs Trinidad and Tobago five points (two matches); Guyana four points (one match); Jamaica one point (two matches); CCC no points (two matches). The Windward Islands will play their opening match on Wednesday.

The Caribbean T20 continues at Queen’s Park Oval on Wednesday. Windward Islands will be in action against Jamaica at 4 pm (3 pm Jamaica Time). Trinidad and Tobago will return to face Leeward Islands at 8 pm (7 pm Jamaica Time).