Nineteen year-old Ryan O'Neal Hinds yesterday claimed the record for the best bowling figures in an innings in the history of West Indian regional first- class competition.

Left-arm spinner Hinds, who turns twenty next Saturday (and is no relation to Wavell), took 9/68 from 27 overs bowling for Barbados against Leeward Islands in their Busta Cup match at Grove Park, Nevis.

The achievement of the former West Indian Under-19 captain is the best in the tournament which has undergone several sponsor-driven name changes since its birth as the Shell Shield in 1966. The fourth bowler to take nine wickets in an innings in the tournament in that time, Hinds beat the previous mark of 9/76 set by Derek Parry for the Combined Islands against Jamaica in 1980.

Hinds' nine-wicket haul was responsible for keeping the Leeward Islands first innings in check after an opening stand of 141 between Stuart Williams and Junie Mitchum on Friday, the home side being dismissed on Saturday morning for 236. Ian Bradshaw was the bowler who took the remaining wicket, that of Williams on the first day.

Despite Hinds' efforts, the match is still finely balanced after the close of the second day Saturday. Despite a dashing 76 in 93 balls (11 fours) from Philo Wallace, Barbados slumped from 115 without loss to be 225 for 9 at the end of the day. Kerry Jeremy (3/46) and Omari Banks (3/53) were the best of the Leewards bowlers, while Hinds himself contributed 27 before being caught behind off the bowling of Wilden Cornwall.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd