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Sherwin Campbell and Philo Wallace have always approached batting with contrasting yet equally efficient methods.

And yesterday was no exception.

Compact Campbell and walloping Wallace launched a splendid Barbados response to a challenging Bangladesh 'A' first innings total on Day 2 of the fifth-round bottom-of-the-table Busta Series clash.

At stumps, captain Campbell was five away from his 22nd first-class century, his unbeaten 95 compiled off 210 balls with due care and application.

By then, the rampaging Wallace had long departed, his awesome aggression giving Barbados a flying start. He, however, would have been angry with himself when he gifted his wicket for 81 off 100 balls on an afternoon in which Barbados' batsmen were seldom troubled.

Young Kurt Wilkinson joined Campbell for the evening session and finally overcame his habit of succumbing in the 20s or 30s. By the close, he was unbeaten on 52, having reached his half-century with an impressive lofted drive that was preceded by a couple of sweet boundaries.

The efforts of the trio in maintaining a decent scoring rate of almost three-and-a half-runs an over carried Barbados within 50 runs of their first points since the opening round. They also put the hosts in a position to build a commanding lead against what appears to be the weakest bowling attack in the competition.

The Saturday Kensington Oval crowd would have especially welcomed the contribution of Campbell, who looked a touch above what we had seen from him recently, but he still feels his timing, movement of the feet and confidence could be improved.

It's not as perfect as I would like it, but I am getting there, said the 31-year-old former West Indies vice-captain.

Sometimes, maybe the bat is a little heavy, but I am trying to get an innings together, take my time and try not to force it too much.

He was also not too perturbed that he did not complete his century yesterday.

I would have loved that, but that's how it goes sometimes. I feel very good and relaxed and I am confident that I will definitely get a hundred tomorrow, he said.

Campbell, recalled to the West Indies team for the first time in more than a year on the recent tour of Sharjah where a fractured little finger prematurely ended his participation, knows the importance of a big innings.

I am definitely looking towards a West Indies pick, he said. A good innings here and then maybe in the next two games may give me a chance to play against India.

He and Wallace put on 135 for the first wicket in fewer than 33 overs and he and Wilkinson spent the next 38 overs adding 109.

Wallace might have gone off after a few balls before he settled at the start, but once he was into his stride, the Bangladishis found it difficult to contain him.

There were a couple of powerful pulls and drives on the way to his half-century, but he exploded when the 18-year-old fast bowler Tareq Aziz was recalled for a second spell.

The first ball was contemptuously lifted over long-on and onto the Garfield Sobers Pavilion. Before the buzz around the ground could subside, the next ball was lifted straight down the ground, prompting some to scamper for cover.

The beefy Wallace seemed headed for an 11th first-class hundred before one of the most innocuous balls of the match caused his demise 20 minutes before tea.

It was a long-hop from off-spinner Naimur Rahman and Wallace pulled it down the throat of deep mid-wicket to end his third half-century of the season, which included nine fours in two hours' batting.

As usual, Campbell was the quiet partner in his association with Wallace. When Wallace departed, he was 45, and he used the remainder of the day to diligently accumulate his highest score at this level since 2000.

One can usually tell when Campbell will score heavily and it was on the cards from the time he opened his account with one of his trademark cuts.

During the four-and-half-hours he was firmly entrenched, the ball constantly hit the middle of his broad bat and there was no hint of the scratchy footwork that has troubled him in recent times.

Earlier, Barbados enjoyed a fine morning session, spearheaded by left-arm pacer Pedro Collins who grabbed the last four wickets after Bangladesh 'A' resumed on 263 for six.

Using the second new ball with telling effect, he bowled mainly a fullish length and Bangaldesh 'A' were unable to score a run in the first 25 minutes. He induced Mushfiqur Raham into gloving a catch to third slip and then troubled the stumps of the next two batsmen.

Mosadek Hossain, playing with a huge gap between bat and bad, was bowled off-stump, while Alamgir Khan was undone by a fullish delivery a few balls after he had swung Collins over mid-wicket when only one fielder was positioned on the leg-side.

Collins duly wrapped up the innings and finished with five for 56 from 27.2 overs, but it left Ian Bradshaw without a deserved maiden five-wicket haul. His four for 89 represented his fifth such haul this season in which he has taken 28 wickets.

© The Barbados Nation