Defending champs Barbados nail No. 22

Bridgetown, Barbados — Barbados captured their 22nd first class title on Monday when rain forced a draw between contenders Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana on the final day of that game in Georgetown.

The Barbadians, the defending champions in the competition, started the final round in second spot but defeated Leeward Islands by an innings and 49 runs at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua on Sunday, to leapfrog T&T and move to 82 points.

T&T, who started the final round of matches in the Regional Four-Day Championship in pole position on 72 points, could only muster eight points from their stalemate at the Guyana National Stadium on Monday.

This meant Barbados secured the WICB President’s Trophy, recording four wins, a loss and a draw during their campaign. T&T, meanwhile, finished second with an identical record.

Windward Islands claimed third spot with 65 points while Jamaica secured fourth spot with 59 points, following their 59-run over Combined Campuses and Colleges at the 3Ws Oval here Monday.

The top four teams will now battle for the Headley/Weekes Trophy, starting on Saturday, with Barbados taking on Jamaica at Kensington Oval and Trinidad & Tobago hosting the Windwards at Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain.

The final is carded to start on April 25.

CCC, meanwhile, finished fifth on 49 points, the Leewards were sixth on 42 while Guyana ended last on 29 points, and without a win in the competition.

Summarized scores: Barbados v Leewards:

Leewards 183/10

Leewards 94  Barbados 326
Barbados win by Inns and 49 runs.
Thomas 60 Powell 31 Hamilton 29 Edwards 7.5o 4/24. Nurse 23o 3/94. Benn 23o 2/52
K Brathwaite 92 Phillips 79 Wickets: Martin 37.3 overs 5/78. Walters 22o 2/64.
LI – Thomas 30 Runs; BAR – Nurse 4 Wkts 

Following are the Official Points Standings after the seventh and final round of preliminary matches in the Regional 4-Day Tournament ended on Monday.

1. Barbados—4 wins—82 points
2. Trinidad & Tobago-4 wins—80 points
3. Windward Islands—3 wins—65 points
4. Jamaica—3 wins—59 points
5. Combined Campuses & Colleges-2 wins—49 points
6. Leeward Islands—2 wins—42 points
7. Guyana—0 wins—29 points