Leewards take points off J’ca

PHILIPSBURG: David Bernard Jr compiled a responsible and impressive century yesterday but fast medium-pacer Kerry Jeremy captured five wickets to earn the Leeward Islands first innings against leaders Jamaica on the third of their four-day Carib Beer Series regional cricket match at the Carib Lumber Ball Park. Bernard stroke his way to 102 as Jamaica, responding to the Leewards huge total of 510 for nine declared, were bowled out for 448 and now look set to have their impressive five-match winning streak halted. 

Jeremy finished with figures of five for 77 from 23 overs after the Jamaicans had resumed their innings from an overnight 179 for three. 
Bernard, who was ninth out after batting for 222 minutes, having faced 168 balls while striking 15 fours, shared important partnerships of 59 with Marlon Samuels, who stroked a cautious 46, and 100 for the eighth wicket with Nikita Miller, who hit a mature 48. Earlier, Donovan Pagon, who was unbeaten on 59 overnight, looked set for a bigger score before he was dismissed for a well-played 84 just before lunch which was taken at 246 for four. 

Pagon, like Samuels, was tied down by accurate bowling by the Leewards in the first session that yielded a mere 67 runs, and he was caught on the mid-wicket boundary as he attempted to lift off-spinner Omari Banks over the top. The former West Indies youth batting star was at the crease for 264 minutes, faced 174 balls and struck eight fours and a six. Jamaica accelerated in the second session thanks to Samuels and Bernard who took the charge to Banks and debutant leg-spinner Brian Stephanie, but the new ball produced three quick wickets while the visitors added an impressive 124 runs in 27 overs. The Leeward will begin their second innings today.