Samuels hits unbeaten 131

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Marlon Samuels continued his rich vein of form yesterday when he hit a patient, unbeaten 131 to guide Bernard Jr's XI to 250 for four, on the opening day of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) third and final four-day trial match at Kensington Park.

The stylish right-hander, who ended the just-concluded second annual staging of the Caribbean Twenty20 tournament as the leading runs scorer, hit 14 fours during his knock, which was example of concentration and top-drawer orthodox strokeplay.

Big hundreds

"The pitch was playing a bit slow and uneven in the morning, and as such, I had to buckle down and concentrate for a long period. However, as soon as it settled down and I got into the groove I started to express myself more," said Samuels.

He added: "I think I have the ability to score big hundreds and this innings is just the beginning. I am enjoying myself, comfortable and happy at the fact that the hard work I have been putting in is paying off."

Others to score well on the day were Donovan Pagon, one of two batsmen to have scored a century during the trials, who made 62 off 136 balls, Xavier Marshall hit 32 off 64 and Bernard Jr ended unbeaten on 16, which came off 113 balls.

Bowling for Tamar Lambert XI Dennis Bulli, one of several spinners in the squad who are looking to replace Nikita Miller, who along with Chris Gayle, Carlton Baugh Jr and Andre Russell are away on West Indies duties, claimed two for 69 off 15 overs.

Jamaica, who have won the tournament over the past three years, will open their account against Guyana at Alpart Oval in St Elizabeth, beginning next week Friday.