Gayle ‘s double blows away Leewards hopes

ST ELIZABETH: Following Jamaica’s 405 all out, the Leeward Islands reached 76 for the loss of one wicket yesterday in their second innings of the seventh-round Carib Beer Series regional cricketmatch. Codville Rogers was the batsman to go, caught by Tamar  Lambert off fastbowler Darren Powell for 9. Today, the Leewards will attempt the 329 runs they need for victory, with Wilden Cornwall resuming on 42 and Sylvester Joseph on 20. Jamaica, who made 200 in their first innings, declared their second innings closed at 394 for three just after tea yesterday.

The home team had resumed yesterday morning on 158 without loss, and were helped to their  massive total by double century worth 219 by West Indies opener Chris Gayle. The left-hander, 103 overnight, had raced to his century on Friday off only 89 deliveries. He was caught yesterday by Ian Tittle driving at medium-pacer Dane Weston, after batting for 399 minutes, facing 266 deliveries and smashing 29 fours and one six. Earlier, Maurice Kepple was the first wicket to fall. He made 58 before he was trapped leg before wicket to fast bowler Adam Sanford. Kepple, who put on 188 for the first wicket with   Gayle, hit four boundaries off 126 deliveries and batted for 163 minutes. Jamaica went to lunch at 246 for one with Gayle on 162 and Donovan Pagon on 14. Pagon figured in a 91-run stand for the second wicket, and was dismissed by Wilden Cornwall for 27 with the score on 279.

Following the loss of Gayle, the stocky Lambert took the attack to the bowling and reached his third half-century of the season shortly after tea by pulling Sanford to the midwicket boundary. Lambert was on 60 which included five fours and one six off 80 deliveries, and Keith Hibbert on six, when Jamaica captain Gareth Breese made the declaration. Jamaica came into the match in second place with 40 tournament points. The Leeward Islands had 16 points and no hope of making the last four for the semifinals.