Jamaica clinch Carib Beer final spot

NAIN, St Elizabeth, Jamaica:  Jamaica virtually secured a spot in the final of the Carib Beer International Challenge, when they took first innings points from the Windward Islands, on the third day of their semi-final match at Alpart Sports Club yesterday. The Windwards never put up a fight, as they were bowled out for 249 before tea, in reply to Jamaica’s first innings total of 338, giving the Jamaicans a lead of 89. The home team closed on 145 for two, a lead of 234, after West Indies opener Chris Gayle blasted 71 from 88 balls in his typical swashbuckling manner.

Beginning the day on 121 for four, the Windwards lost their first wicket 40 minutes into the day’s play as captain Rawl Lewis (45) drove at pacer Darren Powell, got a thick edge and David Bernard took an excellent tumbling catch at wide mid-off. The Windwards went to lunch at 200 for six wickets, needing 139 more runs for first innings point. Immediately after the interval Sergio Fedee (36) turned leg-spinner Odean Brown to Keith Hibbert at short leg. Lindon James (29) was out in controversial manner after he swept Brown to the mid-wicket boundary as Tamar Lambert running round caught the ball. However, there was some contention as to whether Lambert, who threw the ball onto the field before running over the ropes, had taken the catch while still on the field.

Butler was last out as he swung Nehemiah Perry to Bernard on the square-leg boundary, leaving Fernix Thomas not out nine. Experienced spinner Perry (3/68) was the most successful bowler for the Jamaicans, while Brown and Richardson each got two wickets for 38 runs. Batting a second time with an 89-run lead, the Jamaican openers Maurice Kepple and Gayle had a solid start, posting 110 before Gayle tried to hit a ball from Thomas over long-off only succeeding in skying it to Fedee at mid-on. His innings included a six and ten fours. Seven runs later the ever gritty Kepple (37) went after hanging his bat at a leg-break from Lewis for Sammy at slip to accept the catch. Donovan Pagon on 13 and Lambert 20 were the not out batsmen.