Tino Best took four for 33. - Ricardo Makyn

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC)

Barbados copped a record 20th regional four-day title when they beat Guyana by five wickets on the third day of their final-round Carib Beer Series match to win the Carib Beer Cup at Bourda yesterday.

Using fiery pace from Tino Best and crafty spin bowling by their captain, Ryan Hinds, Barbados ripped out Guyana for a flimsy second innings 90 all out and then, set 108 to win, strode to victory at 111 for five shortly after tea.

Untouchable

The win vaulted unbeaten Barbados to an unassailable 54 points and reduced the key match between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in Jamaica to a straight fight for the runner-up spot and a place in the Challenge Final against the Barbadians.

In completing their fourth win from five games, Barbados overcame a minor stutter and reached the target as wicket-keeper Carlo Morris lofted off-spinner Royston Crandon for a six and four off consecutive deliveries to end the contest 23 minutes after tea.

Man-of-the-match Hinds had earlier grabbed five for 19 off nine overs with his left-arm spin as Guyana fell 10 short of a hundred in their second innings, their third lowest total ever and the second lowest recorded at this level on Guyanese soil.

Hinds received admirable support from Best, who took four for 33 off nine overs as Travis Dowlin (24) was the only Guyanese to reach 20 in a pathetic batting display on a flat track and fast outfield.

Schoolboy left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul then captured three for 25 to delay the inevitable Barbados victory in sweltering heat.

Teenager Shamarh Brooks (28), Floyd Reifer (27) and Hinds (22) all wasted good starts as the Guyanese, who finished on 24 points, fought valiantly for an improbable win after they had captured first-innings points on the second day by restricting Barbados to 268 in response to the home side's 285.

Back-to-back titles

Barbados won back-to-back 'double' titles in the first Carib Beer tournaments in 2003 and 2004, a feat they hope to emulate this year, having qualified for the February 22-26 Challenge Final in Trinidad.

The teams will have an extra rest day today before facing off in an important final-round KFC Cup clash on Saturday at Bourda as they hunt places in the semi-finals of the one-day competition.