J’ca hold slight advantage against Windies ‘B’

ST JOHN’S: Pace bowler Andrew Richardson snapped up two wickets in four balls to give Jamaica a slight advantage against the West Indies “B” yesterday, the second day of their rain-affected fifth-round Carib Beer Series regional cricket match. At the close of play, the West Indies “B” had reached 46 for two in 22 overs. Richards first removed Ryan Ramdass when the batsman involuntarily gloved a delivery to the wicketkeeper as he tried to pull away from the ball. It was 18 for one.

Three balls later, Richardson uprooted the off-and-middle stumps of Shawn Findlay for no score. Captain Jason Haynes, unbeaten on 17, and Danza Hyatt, 21 not out, then added an unbroken 28 for the third wicket as they saw their side to the close without any further loss. Play eventually started at 4 pm after ground keepers cleared a muddy patch to the bowler’s run-up at the northern end and wet spot on the pitch. The first day of play on Friday was entirely rained out. Both teams lost their fourth-round matches, and need tournament points from this match to stay competitive within the top four teams. The Windies are third in the standings, with 24 points, while Jamaica follows fourth with 22.