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.
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).
FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
(AT QUEEN’S PARK OVAL, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad)
Sunday, January 6
Trinidad & Tobago vs Jamaica – Match abandoned due to rain
Monday, January 7
Barbados beat Leeward Islands by 9 wickets
Guyana beat Combined Campuses & Colleges by 2 wickets
Tuesday, January 8
Barbados beat Jamaica by 5 wickets
T&T beat CCC by 7 wickets
Wednesday, January 9
Windward Islands vs Jamaica – 4 p.m.
Trinidad & Tobago vs Leeward Islands – 8 p.m.
Thursday, January 10
Combined Campuses & Colleges vs Windward Islands – 4 p.m.
Guyana vs Barbados – 8 p.m.
Friday, January 11
Leeward Islands vs Jamaica – 4 p.m.
Combined Campuses & Colleges vs Barbados – 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 12
Windward Islands vs Leeward Islands – 4 p.m.
Trinidad & Tobago vs Guyana – 8 p.m.
(AT BEAUSEJOUR CRICKET GROUND, Gros Islet, St. Lucia)
Tuesday, January 15
Guyana vs Jamaica – 4 p.m.
Windward Islands vs Trinidad & Tobago – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, January 16
Combined Campuses & Colleges vs Leeward Islands – 4 p.m.
Barbados vs Trinidad & Tobago – 8 p.m.
Thursday, January 17
Leeward Islands vs Guyana – 4 p.m.
Windward Islands vs Barbados – 8 p.m.
Friday, January 18
Combined Campuses & Colleges vs Jamaica – 4 p.m.
Windward Islands vs Guyana – 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 19
Play-off: 2nd Place vs 3rd Place – 8 p.m.
Sunday, January 20
Grand Final: 1st Place vs Winner of Play-off – 8 p.m.