Medium pacer shines in J’ca trials

KINGSTON: Little-known medium pacer Evon McInnis produced a strong allround performance to help Chris Gayle’s XI beat the Robert Samuels XI by 16 runs in Jamaica’s latest Red Stripe Bowl trial match on Sunday.

McInnis scored 33 to help push Gayle’s XI to 188 for eight and grabbed three wickets when Samuels’ XI struggled to 172 all out in 49.5 overs at Jamalco Sports Club. Gayle, who was Samuels’ opposing captain with regular skipper Wavell Hinds resting, continued his steady scoring when he posted 51, with three fours and two sixes, to complement his innings of 71 and 78 in the previous two matches. McInnis and Ricardo Powell (35) also scored well against the Samuels XI’s bowling, headed by ex-West Indies youth pacer Andrew Richardson (2-14). In Saturday’s second trial, McInnis had taken six for 34 off 10 overs for the Samuels XI in their win. Gayle completed a fine allround match, capturing three for 17 with his off-spin, and with McInnis, stifled the Samuels XI run chase. Samuels top-scored for his team with 40, while Darren Powell (28) and Tamar Lambert (24) were the next best contributors in the failed run chase.