BASSETERRE, St. Kitts-WHILE the noise of the political season rattled on outside of Warner Park’s walls during Nomination Day yesterday (Jan. 15), a quieter affair was taking place inside as the Leeward Islands ended their first innings against Jamaica at 188 from 72.3 overs.
Leewards chose to bat after winning the coin toss, but it did not take long for the Jamaican bowling attack to heat up and make the hosts regret their decision.
Kieran Powell was the first batsman to go when he was bowled by Daren Powell in the first over for the day’s first duck. Powell’s fellow Nevisian opener Runako Morton stayed cool under the early pressue that was delivered by Jamaica’s twin attack of pace and spin from David Bernard and Nikita Miller, respectively.
The pair of bowlers managed to intimidate the rest of the upper order, however, picking off Montcin Hodge, Tonito Willett and skipper Steve Liburd for a combined ten runs to leave the Leeward Islands at 52/4.
A recovery seemed to be taking place in the fifth wicket between Morton and Omari Banks, who drove home 51 runs before Morton was caught out at first slip by Shawn Findlay. He ended up as the day’s top scorer with 60 from 119 balls, including nine fours and a six.
The rally continued when wicketkeeper Devon Thomas joined Banks. The duo batted in 69 runs as the afternoon sun set in, but Bernard stepped up the pace attack for Jamaica to quash the momentum Leeward Islands was gaining.
When Banks was caught out at 39 by Carlton Baugh, it signaled the beginning of the end for the side and Thomas would find no more support as the bottom order collapsed.
Thomas ended his day at 52 after 125 minutes, with four fours and a six to leave the Leeward Islands just shy of the 200-run mark.
The never-say-die attitude that was the Leeward Islands’ hallmark in the first round of the West Indies Cricket Board Regional 4-Day competition was fortunately on display once again when Jamaica took to the crease.
Though the Jamaicans had a more successful day, they by no means sealed a first innings victory as openers Xavier Marshall and Findlay were both dismissed for under 15 runs before the day’s proceedings were brought to a close.
With Donavon Pagon and West Indies regular Daren Powell standing as the night watchmen, Jamaica will open today’s (Jan. 16) second day of play at 39/2.
Meanwhile in Nevis, Barbados capitalized on a good spate of spin to restrict Combined Campuses & Colleges to 213 for their second round match.
In Antigua, fans who attended the first Caribbean’s first ever day/night match featuring a pink ball were treated as Trinidad & Tobago opener Lendl Simmons walloped a 104-run century to give his side a 302 run lead over Guyana on Day 1.
