By KERN RAMLOCHAN Saturday, March 29 2008

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TRINIDAD and Tobago batsman Lendl Simmons shapes to drive watched by Barbados wicketkeeper Patrick Browne yesterday, first day of their important Cari...

A VALUABLE sixth-wicket partnership of 114 runs between Lendl Simmons and Richard Kelly enabled Trinidad and Tobago to take first day honours against Barbados in their crucial Carib Beer Series regional match at Guaracara Park, Point-a-Pierre.

The home side, led by Daren Ganga were 301 for seven after winning the toss and deciding to bat on a docile wicket.

Allrounder Kelly joined middle-order batsman Simmons at the wicket with the national team precariously placed at 182 for five.

The Ceramic MerryBoys duo put an end to Trinidad and Tobago’s slide after openers Adrian Barath and William Perkins provided a solid start of 88 runs. Simmons known for his aggressive batting was uncharacteristically sedate at the crease looking lacklustre at times.

But Kelly on the other hand brought a commanding presence to the wicket middling his first shot against Kevin Stoute. The hard-hitting left-hander soon imposed his influence on the course of the match calmly lofting Stoute over the fielder in the covers for a boundary before following up with a blistering cover drive on the ground for another boundary.

Kelly who was dropped from the Trinidad and Tobago team for the KFC Cup showed that his form was back to best with an innings of great maturity and concentration.

The all-rounder was aggressive in his running between the wicket, turning singles in twos as the pair rotated the strike. Simmons also capitalised on the introduction of spinner Jonathan Carter to reach his half-century.

The former West Indies youth player swept Carter for a boundary before taking a quick single to reach the milestone. Simmons’ half century spanned 226 minutes and 143 balls, with four boundaries.

Kelly soon followed suit and dismantled Sulieman Benn to reach his half century. He slog sweeped Benn for a massive six over mid-wicket before taking an easy single to bring up his fifty. Kelly then went into over drive smashing Benn for another two sixes over the mid-wicket region, forcing the spinner to be removed from the Bajan bowling attack.

The pair took the score to 292 before Kelly attempting to hit Dwayne Smith through the covers was brilliantly caught by a diving Kevin Stoute for a well played 68.

All-rounder Smith would strike a late blow for Barbados, dismissing Rayad Emrit, caught at slip for one. Simmons would remain not out on 63 and new batsman Dave Mohammed unbeaten on one.

Earlier, William Perkins and Adrian Barath made the Bajans toil in the field with their purposeful batting. Barath looked a bit out of sorts at times but showed his class as he was able to manoeuvre the strike. Perkins was aggressive and flashy and showed no signs of discomfort against an experienced bowling attack.

The dismissal of Barath soon triggered a Trinidad and Tobago collapse coupled aided by poor batting. Barath was caught by wicketkeeper Patrick Browne playing back to spinner Benn. Ganga, and Kieron Pollard had brief stays in the crease as the national team looked to have wasted the good start established by Barath and Perkins.