Sunil Ambris' stroke-filled century was the lone highlight in a faltering Windward Islands Volcanoes batting performance, but the contest against Barbados Pride remains finely balanced after an intriguing first day of their sixth-round West Indies Championship encounter at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Ambris’ fluent 110 off 116 deliveries, decorated with 13 fours and a six, lifted the Volcanoes to 186 all out after another erratic batting display. In response, Barbados Pride faced early setbacks and stumbled to 95-4 at stumps, trailing by 92 runs. However, with the experienced Kyle Mayers, on 40, and Matthew Forde, on five, at the crease, the Pride will be aiming to build on their foundation when play resumes on Thursday.

Batting first, the Volcanoes endured yet another shaky start, an unfortunate theme of their campaign. Openers Jeremy Solozano and Kimani Melius both fell without scoring, followed by Alick Athanaze (one), Kavem Hodge (six), and Shadrack Descarte (three), leaving the team reeling at 36-5 within the first 12 overs.

Noelle Leo (27) briefly resisted alongside Ambris, putting on 36 runs before Jomel Warrican had him caught by Mayers. Ryan John (10) also fell cheaply as the Volcanoes continued to collapse at 86-7.

With wickets tumbling around him, Ambris took matters into his own hands, counterattacking the Barbados bowlers with a mix of elegant stroke play and aggressive intent. He found a brief but valuable ally in Kenneth Dember (14), who helped push the total past 150 during their 62-run eighth-wicket stand before falling to Forde.

Ambris, determined to maximize the total, carried on after Keon Gaston (one) departed, raising his ninth First-Class century before eventually being bowled by Warrican as the last man out.

The Pride bowlers shared the spoils in a disciplined effort, with Ramon Edwards (2-32), Forde (2-19), Dominic Drakes (2-48), and Warrican (2-45) all playing key roles in restricting the Volcanoes to a modest total.

Given their bowlers’ fine effort, Barbados Pride would have hoped for a smooth chase toward first-innings dominance. However, that was not to be. Their top order suffered early setbacks, with Captain Kraigg Brathwaite (one), Jonathan Drakes (six), and Kevin Wickham (12) all dismissed cheaply, leaving them in trouble at 23-3.

Shayne Moseley (22) and the returning Mayers brought some stability, stitching together a vital 57-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Just as they looked to steady the innings, Moseley’s departure triggered another wobble, as Leniko Boucher fell for a duck, and the Pride were reduced to 80-5.

With the Volcanoes sensing an opening, Mayers and Forde held firm in the final session to ensure no further damage before stumps.

Keon Gaston (2-22) and Gilon Tyson (2-23) have led the bowling charge for the Volcanoes, keeping the contest in the balance.