Jamaicans fight back at Kensington

BRIDGETOWN: Jamaica fought back against Barbados yesterday to leave the Carib Beer International Challenge cricket final finely balanced after the second day at Kensington Oval.

The visitors’ bowlers set the tone by slicing through Barbados’ late order after Kurt Wilkinson stretched his overnight 74 to an excellent 125, his second First-Class century. Once the 21-year-old Wilkinson was removed by all-rounder David Bernard, the last six wickets tumbled for just 38 runs. The home team, overnight 228 for three, were bowled out for 369 in their first innings just after tea. The Jamaican batsmen then laid a solid base in reaching 79 for one by the close.

Leon Garrick hit three fours and a pulled six in an enterprising 30 off 57 balls before Corey Collymore’s off-cutter claimed him leg before. Fellow opener Brenton Parchment was unbeaten on 26 with Test batsman Wavell Hinds on 11 not out. Left-hander Hinds was lucky to escape near the end off the impressive Collymore as Philo Wallace grassed a sharp chance at short extra cover. Earlier, Wilkinson and left-hander Floyd Reifer pushed their important fourth wicket stand to 191 before the Jamaicans struck just before lunch. Reifer pushed from 59 to 88 before he was bowled by Gareth Breese as he missed an ill-judged sweep. The 30-year-old hit nine fours and a six off 263 balls in 391 minutes.

Wilkinson and his skipper Courtney Browne (25) added a further 42 for the fifth wicket before the century-maker’s departure prompted a terminal slide. The stylish right-hander was leg before attempting to pull Bernard after hitting 17 boundaries off 288 deliveries in just over six hours. Browne was a leg before victim of Ricardo Powell’s off spin and Ryan Hurley (14), Vasbert Drakes (8), Pedro Collins (4) and Corey Collymore (4) offered little at the end. Hurley was bowled off the inside edge by Jerome Taylor while Jermaine Lawson uprooted the stumps of Drakes and Collins. Breese finished with four for 97 off 41 overs. Fast bowlers Lawson (two for 56) and Taylor (two for 67) were the best of the rest.