Tamar Lambert ... hit 76 from 82 balls - file

georgetown, guyana, (cmc)

A run-a-ball half-century from Tamar Lambert carried holders Jamaica close, but Barbados kept their composure, and completed a 21-run victory in the WICB Cup one-day competition yesterday.

The Jamaica captain hit 76 from 82 balls, as the defending champions, chasing 250 for victory from their allocation of 50 overs, were dismissed with nine balls remaining in their opening match.

The Jamaicans had let Barbados off the hook, as Dwayne Smith made 64 not out from 47 balls and Ryan Hinds supported with 56 from 88 balls to lead the winners to 249 for five from their 50 overs.

Early setback

Jamaica suffered an early setback, when Brenton Parchment was adjudged lbw to Pedro Collins for a duck in the third over, but Horace Miller scored 42 and Dave Bernard Jr 26 to give them some momentum in a stand of 66 for the second wicket.

But Hinds, bowling his uncomplicated left-arm spin, removed them both, and Danza Hyatt was run out for five, when he failed to beat Tino Best's throw from short third man to wicketkeeper Patrick Browne to leave Jamaica 97 for four.

Skipper takes charge

Lambert, however, took charge of the situation, and got Jamaica moving again, when he struck three fours and two sixes in a purposeful knock, and he added 67 with Lorenzo Ingram.

Dwayne Smith removed Ingram for 25, and Lambert continued to dominate in a stand of 30 with Keith Hibbert before they were both removed to leave Jamaica 198 for seven.

There was little resistance from the rest of the batting, as the Jamaicans lost their last three wickets for 10 runs.

Left-arm fast-medium bowler Pedro Collins collected three wickets for 39 runs from nine overs, and Hinds snared three for 40 from his allotment of 10 overs.

Earlier, Barbados made a steady start after choosing to bat on a typically easy-paced Bourda Oval pitch.

Dale Richards shared 39 for the first wicket with new Barbados captain Jason Haynes before Andrew Richardson removed him for 27.

Haynes then built on this platform with Hinds in a stand of 70 for the second wicket before Ingram dismissed him for 30.

Hinds struck seven fours and one six and continued to lead the Barbados charge to a competitive total.

Smith's big hits

He gained help along the way from Jonathan Carter, who made 34, but Hinds fell to Krishmar Snatokie, and Ingram bagged Carter and Alcindo Holder for two, as the Barbadians wobbled at 189 for five before Smith beefed up the total with some pugnacious batting that produced five fours and three sixes.

Ingram was the most successful Jamaica bowler with three for 47 from his 10 overs.

Jamaica have today to consider what went wrong, since they have drawn a bye in the second round of matches, but Barbados face the United States at the Guyana National Stadium.