Banks’ five-wicket haul spoils Jamaica’s plans

The tall, 23-year old grabbed five for 76 to send Jamaica crashing from a strong lunch-time position of 144 for four, to 223 all out as they lost their last six wickets for 79 runs.

Faced with a 27-run deficit on first innings, the Leewards reached 46 for one, a lead of 19, before rain brought a premature end to the day’s play.

Jamaica, resuming from their overnight 35 for one, started disastrously by losing Danza Hyatt (7) without a run added to the score.

Opener Xavier Marshall, unbeaten on seven overnight, struck 36 and combined with captain Tamar Lambert in a 62-run, third-wicket stand, to guide Jamaica out of trouble.

Marshall became the first of Banks’ wickets with the score on 97 but David Bernard Jr joined Lambert to continue to press home Jamaica’s advantage as they sought to overhaul Leewards’ 196.

Lambert, who scored heavily in warm-up games for the competition, lashed 51 with four fours and one six and faced 126 balls in 147 minutes at the crease.

However, he fell on the stroke of lunch to a catch by wicketkeeper Alderman Lesmond off Tonito Willett.

Summarised scores: LEEWARDS 196 and 46/1 - Shane Jeffers 18 not out, Austin Richards jr 18 vs JAMAICA 223 - T Lambert 51, D Bernard jr 45, X Marshall 36, O Banks 5/76, Carl Simon 2/27.