Blackwood ton rescues Jamaica

GROS-ISLET, St Lucia (CMC):

Jermaine Blackwood dug reigning champions Jamaica out of a deep hole with the third hundred of the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Challenge against leaders Guyana yesterday.

Blackwood was undefeated on an even 100 and left-hander Donovan Nelson was not out on 46, as Jamaica, sent in to bat, reached 256 for six in their first innings at the close on the first day of their second round match at the Gros-Islet playing field.

Blackwood followed up a swashbuckling, face-saving 90 against Trinidad and Tobago in the first round with a more circumspect innings.

He struck seven fours and one six from 166 balls in a shade over four hours and featured in an unbroken, seventh-wicket stand of 135 with Nelson, after Jamaica slumped to 121 for six after lunch.

Anthony Adams has been the most successful Guyana bowler with three wickets for 77 runs from 26 overs, upstaging Amir Khan, an 11-wicket hero from the first match against Leeward Islands.

Jamaica started confidently with openers John Campbell and Peat Salmon putting on 58 for the first wicket. But Adams had Campbell caught behind for 34 and bowled opposing captain Paul Palmer for one, before Joemal La Fleur bowled Kemar Marshall for nine, as the Jamaicans wobbled to 72 for three at lunch.

After the interval, the Jamaicans ran into further trouble on 76 for four, when Salmon was caught off Adams for 26.

Run out

Blackwood joined Vaneil Brom-field and they steadied the innings with a stand of 45 before two wickets in quick succession left the Jamaicans rocking again. Bromfield was run out for 19 and Brian Gayle was adjudged lbw to Keon Joseph for a duck to bring Nelson to the crease.

He and Blackwood batted fluently to carry the Jamaicans to 156 for six at tea and added another 100 after the break to revive their side's innings.

AT DENNERY PLAYING FIELD: Kaveem Hodge grabbed late wickets to put Windward Islands in a competitive position against Trinidad & Tobago, after half-centuries from Atticus Brown and captain Audy Alexander propped up their batting in the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Challenge yesterday.

Trinidad & Tobago, replying to the Windwards' first innings total of 236, reached 52 for three at the close on the first day of their second round at the Dennery playing field.

Scores: WINDWARD ISLANDS 236 (Atticus Browne 71, Audy Alexander 51; Yanick Cariah 4-45, Kissoondath Magram 2-50, Sachin Boodram 2-54). TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 52 for three (Keiron Joseph 24 not out; Kaveem Hodge 2-15).

at the Beausejour Cricket Ground: Roston Chase struck his maiden hundred to put Barbados in a strong position against Leeward Islands yesterday. Chase, in his third year, collected 20 fours in 135 in just over 4¹/² hours of batting, as Barbados, sent in to bat, reached 290 for five in their first innings at the close on the first day.

Scores: BARBADOS 290 for five (Roston Chase 135, Clint St Hill 46, Kyle Mayers 44; Wasim Mintus 2-30).