Samuels makes quiet return

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Marlon Samuels made a quiet return to local cricket, making 18 for Melbourne Kangaroos in their rain-affected, no-result match against St Catherine Saints, in the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Super League at Chedwin Park yesterday.

Batting at his customary number four position and coming in with his team in a precarious position at 57-2 in chase of the Saint's huge first-innings total of 392, Samuels batted for just over an hour and faced 53 balls, before he fell two minutes before the scheduled luncheon interval.

He attempted to play a back drive to leg-spinner Gavin Wallace, but only succeeded in playing the ball onto his stumps.

It was a disappointing end for the stylish right-hander, who was batting for the break and had the day's second session in his sight.

Melbourne, who entered the round in second position, eventually ended on 97-5 when the rains came approximately 15 minutes into the second session. Play was officially called off at 4 p.m.

Samuels had been out of the game on a two-year ban for breaching International Cricket Council rules relating to "receiving money, benefit or other reward which could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute".

"He was looking forward to it and he enjoyed it as he got a chance to spend some time at the wicket," said Melbourne manager Donald McNaughton.

"I expect him to continue to grow from strength to strength from here and get back to the Marlon Samuels that we all know," he added.

Openers John Ross Campbell (24) and Damion Henry (29) were the Kangaroos' leading batsmen, while bowling for the Saints, medium pacer Danza Hyatt took 2-22 from six overs and Wallace 1-13 from 4.1 overs.

The Saints' total was made possible by a cavalier century from national captain, Tamar Lambert, who scored 111.

Lions lead standings

In other results, leaders Manchester Lions went down to Kingston Tigers on first innings at Kirkvine, St Elizabeth Warriors defeated Trelawny Buccaneers outright at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium, and newcomers St Ann Cutters got the better of Westmoreland Wizards on first innings in their game at Kaiser.

The Lions now lead the standings on 13 points, one more than the Warriors, while the Kangaroos, on 11, round out the top three. They are followed by the Tigers (10), Cutters and Saints (nine), while the Wizards and Buccaneers have three points and one point, respectively.

At TMPS: St. Elizabeth 242 (Shane Powell 58, Desmond Jones 56; Kemar Allen 6-55). Trelawny 120 (Vinroy Crooks 53; Howard Powell 8-54) & 84 all out (Conroy Miller 3-15, Howard Powell 3-16).

At Kirkvine: Kingston 293-7 dec (Simon Jackson 114, Fabian Forbes 50 not out). Manchester 128 all out (Jamie Merchant 49. Federick Hermitt 4-18, James McDonald 3-13).

At Kaiser: St. Ann 214 (Duran White 49, Marlon Johnson 43; Nickoy Samuels 4-18, Ewan Andrews 3-41) & 220-7 (Marlon Pinnock 82, Xavier Marshall 52). Westmoreland 187 all out (Nickoy Samuels 70, Jason Thompson 33 not out; Andre Dwyer 4-75, Ricardo Dacres 3-14).