HALF-centuries by Kenroy Williams and Justin Greaves engineered a Barbados Pride revival in reaching 282-7 at stumps against hosts Guyana Jaguars on the opening day of the fifth round Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League (PCL) four-day game at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence yesterday.
The pair repelled the hosts with a century stand, as they dragged a stumbling Pride from 123-5 to firm respectability at stumps.
Williams made 68 while Greaves, who has so far batted for 152 balls, 185 minutes, inclusive of ten boundaries, is 72 not out. Their sixth-wicket partnership worth 121 runs. Mario Rampersaud is the other not-out batsmen on four.
Earlier, the Pride were in early trouble when they lost three quick wickets with just 32 runs on the board, as pacer Keon Joseph (3-63) capitalised on the new ball and slightly overcast conditions.
After deciding to bat first, the visitors’ openers Anthony Alleyne and Shayne Moseley added 28 for the first wicket, but Joseph, the West Indies A team pacer, struck twice in the fifth over to jolt the visitors’ progress.
Joseph moved the new ball very well and used the bounce available to good effect. He gave the three-time defending champions their first breakthrough when he had Alleyne (11), edging to third slip before trapping Shamarh Brooks leg-before without scoring, three balls later.
Joseph also got rid of Jonathon Carter (4), who paid the price for his lethargic feet movement as wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble effected the stumping chance that was made available.
However, Moseley, who was unbeaten on 33 at lunch, braved a tough morning session, and in company with Kevin Stoute then stabilised the innings, putting together a fighting unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 58 runs, as the tourists went to the interval on 90-3. The right-handed Stoute was on 31 when lunch was taken.
The pair remained unperturbed, half-an-hour into the middle session before both were dismissed in the space of 13 runs. The left-handed Moseley was run-out after being called through for a non-existent single. He made 43 off 109 balls while Stoute edged Motie behind for 47 off 104 balls.
Both batsmen managed to hit eight boundaries apiece. The Pride were 123-5 with those dismissals, as the hosts sensed a change in momentum, but Williams and Greaves then formed a sound resistance to frustrate the home side.
The pair added 55 during the remainder of the session, and went into the tea break on 36 and 20 respectively.
However, the afternoon session began differently, with captain Leon Johnson setting inventive fields to try to make something happen.
But that was not the case, as Williams coasted past his half-century off 110 balls with nine fours, while Greaves reached his landmark off 125 balls.
The pair took their stand within the final half an hour of play before Keemo Paul had Williams caught at the wicket to end his 144-ball innings which spanned 162 minutes at the crease, counting ten boundaries.
Paul then had the wicket of Ashley Nurse (13), just before the close. Play resumes today at 09:30hrs and admission to the venue is free.