Jamaica pile on runs in final

KINGSTON: Jamaica reached 357 for eight wickets yesterday in the second day of the Carib Beer Challenge Trophy cricket final against the Leeward Islands at Alpart Sports Club. The hosts have a lead of 177 runs with two wickets standing. The Leeward Islands made 180 in their first innings. Tamar Lambert on 38 and Jerome Taylor (one) will resume batting today. The Leewards clawed their way back into the match in the final session through good bowling from fastbowler Adam Sanford and rightarm offspinner Omari Banks. Sanford finished the day with three wickets for 92 runs from 27 overs while Banks also captured three wickets from 41 overs which cost him 115 runs.

Banks started the fightback after tea when he bowled David Bernard for 18. Bowling with controlled pace, Sanford then removed Carlton Baugh (16) and Gareth Breese (one) with deliveries that jumped off a good length. The eighth wicket to fall was Nikita Miller who was caught by Runako Morton off Banks for nought. Jamaica’s score was built around a century of 131 from Christopher Gayle and 58 from Marlon Samuels. Gayle scored his 20th First-Class century. He hit 15 fours and one six off 244 deliveries, reaching the milestone shortly after lunch.

He was third out, caught by Runako Morton off Banks. Samuels was next out, caught by Carl Simon off the medium-pacer Wilden Cornwall. He struck five fours. Jamaica started the day at 94 for one with Gayle on 56 and Donovan Pagon on four. Pagon was the lone casualty of the morning session, caught by wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs off the bowling of Simon for 42. Jamaica were 181 for two at lunch and 277 for four at tea. The Jamaicans are chasing their second title of the season. They won the Carib Beer Series by amassing 95 points from 12 matches and need only a draw to take the Challenge Trophy. The Leewards, which finished second in the Carib Beer Series on 58 points, must defeat Jamaica to win the final.