Guyana close in on Carib Beer final

ALBION: Guyana closed the gap in the semifinal Carib Beer match against Jamaica yesterday, led by half centuries from Krishna Arjune, Narsingh Deonarine, Carl Hooper and Shivrnarine Chanderpaul. Guyana ended the third day’s play at 316 for four wickets compared to Jamaica’s 486/7 declared. The fourth and final day resumes today.

The winner of the match advances to the final to face Barbados, who defeated Trinidad and Tobago by nine wickets in their semifinal match yesterday. Resuming at 207 for three at tea, Guyana lost the wicket of Deonarine in the session and leg-before-wicket to part-time spinner Chris Gayle for 55. But Hooper and Chanderpaul batted sensibly to ensure Guyana reached a respectable total. Batsmen not out are Chanderpaul, closing in on his 10th century at this level, on 96 and Hooper on 49. The Guyanese batsmen, just as their Jamaican counterparts did in the first two days, built huge middle-order partnerships, 97 between Chanderpaul and Deonarine and 102 between Hooper and Chanderpaul. A battle for first innings points looms on the final day. Guyana, last year’s champions, won by first innings against Jamaica in 2002 due in large part to a century by Hooper.

Summarised scores: JAMAICA 486/7 declared vs GUYANA 316/4 - S. Chanderpaul 96 not out, C. Hooper 49 not out, N. Deonarine 55.