Campbell
BRIDGETOWN, CMC:
OPENER RYAN Ramdass slammed a brilliant, unbeaten maiden century to spur Guyana to a memorable six-wicket win over double-crown champions for the past two seasons Barbados, on the fourth and final day of the fifth round Carib Beer Cup match at Kensington Oval yesterday.
The 21-year-old Ramdass hit 144 not out in a shade over five hours as Guyana, set 270 for victory in 81 overs after Barbados declared their second innings on 294 for eight, triumphed with 15.4 overs to spare on a pitch which remained hard and true despite several cracks.
Man-of-the-Match Ramdass faced 194 balls and struck 17 boundaries and a six as he and left-hander Narsingh Deonarine, who made 52, set up the win with a second wicket partnership of 131 in 28.3 overs.
The winning runs came from Lennox Cush, who swung occasional off-spinner Kenroy Williams over square-leg for six to move to 27 off the same number of balls.
It was Barbados' fourth consecutive defeat all on home turf, making it the first time in the history of regional first-class cricket that the island with a record 21 titles including two in the international Trophy, had lost four matches in a row.
They are rock bottom in the standings on four points, gained against the Windward Islands, when rain prevented a ball from being bowled, while Guyana moved to 22 points.
Ramdass, who treated a small crowd of mainly Guyanas supporters, to a wonderful exhibition of batsmanship, was naturally late with his innings.
"I am very, very happy," he said.
Captain Damador Dasrath praised Ramdass
highly while dedicating the victory to victims of Guyana's recent hay flooding.
" I will dedicate this victory to the people who have been suffering at home," Dasrath said.
"It is a very, very good victory for us. Had a lot of problems before this match but we went into the nets and worked hard," the Guyana captain said.
In relation to Ramdass, Dasrath remarked: "it was a very magnificent innings, we knew he was struggling and we had a plan that he would bat through the innings."
DISAPPOINTMENT
Barbados captain Sherwin Campbell could not hide his disappointment while remaining optimistic that the team could still redeem itself in the return matches of the revamped championship.
"I am very, very disappointed. I really cannot express my feelings at this moment," Campbell said.
"We deserve better than this. I thought it was a reasonable target but Guyana got off to a good start and after Ramdass got into stride, it was very difficult to contain."
Barbados' woes were compounded by a hand injury to fast bowler Antonio Thomas, who was only able to bowl three overs.
WINDWARDS WIN
AT CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St. Thomas: A century by Stuart Williams, his second of the season could not prevent the Leeward Islands from suffering a six-wicket defeat as captain Rawle Lewis took six wickets to pave the way for the Windward Islands' second win in the 2005 Carib Beer Series cricket match at the Addelita Cancryn Ground here yesterday.
Williams cracked a superb 115 but Lewis grabbed six for 86 as the Leewards were dismissed for 274 in their second innings, leaving the Windwards with only 120 to win in more than a session and a half of yesterday's last day.
They reached 121 for four to move to 34 points in the standings.
