Pride claim runners-up prize after impressive win over Hurricanes

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

Barbados Pride registered an improbable come-from-behind three-wicket victory over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes on Saturday to finish second in the West Indies Championship and claim the US$100 000 runner-up prize.

Despite conceding a first innings lead of 129 runs, the Pride fought back to skittle out the home side for just 99 runs in their second innings to give themselves a chance of pushing for victory.

Kyle Mayers (45), Jonathan Drakes (42) and captain Kraigg Brathwaite (40), then scored important knocks to see the Pride to 233 for seven in a tense finish.

The win propelled the Pride from third to second on 121.2 points, just behind defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles (126.6), and ahead of the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force (111).

The match was set up for an enthralling finish heading into Saturday's final day with the Hurricanes precariously placed at 76 for eight, following a decisive bowling spell from pacer Ramon Simmonds.

Simmonds continued where he left off the previous day by bowling Oshane Thomas before leg spinner Jomel Warrican wrapped up the innings by trapping last man Javier Spencer leg before wicket for four.

Simmonds ended with the impressive figures of 6-27, while medium pacer Shaquille Cumberbatch finished with 3-17.

Set 228 for victory, the Pride were given a solid start by openers Brathwaite and Shayne Moseley, who put on 50 runs for the first wicket.

However, Hurricanes captain Rahkeem Cornwall grabbed the wickets of Moseley, Brathwaite and Kevin Wickham for 23, to leave the score 111 for three.

Drakes and Mayers then added 42 crucial runs for the fourth wicket to put the Pride back in the ascendancy, until two quick wickets left the game in the balance.

First, Drakes was needlessly run out and then left-arm spinner Karima Gore dismissed Leniko Boucher for just two to see the Pride slip to 158 for five.

But Matthew Forde joined Mayers at the crease, and the two put on an invaluable 41 runs to install them as favourites once again.

There were still some nerves in the Pride camp when Mayers and Forde, who made 26, fell with 10 runs still required.

But Cumberbatch and Warrican held on to see their team to victory, with Cumberbatch ending the match in style by hitting spinner Daniel Doram out of the ground.

Cornwall claimed 3-32 and Gore took 2-63.