Jamaica fight back

Jermaine Lannaman, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Led by three-wicket hauls from part-time spinner and captain, Tamar Lambert, and Odean Brown, Jamaica were able to crawl their way back into contention against Guyana in their opening round West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-Day clash at Alpart Sports Club, St Elizabeth.

Bowling with good bounce and turn on a receptive wicket, Lambert claimed three for seven, and Brown three for 53 as Guyana, chasing Jamaica's modest first innings 150, were dismissed for 183, for a 33-run innings lead.

Jamaica, batting a second time, then reached 128 for two at the close of play, an overall lead of 95 heading into today's third and penultimate day.

confident start

Guyana, who did what they needed to do on day one to push the hosts on the back foot, started confidently yesterday on 32 for one and looking to post a huge total that would all but put the game out of Jamaica's reach.

However, led first by Brown who made early inroads, and Lambert, who struck later, the visitors were jolted and had it not been for some positive lower-order batting from wicketkeeper Derwin Christian, 39, and left-arm spinner Veerasamy Permaul, 27, who ended as their leading run-getters, they would have missed their initial target of at least first innings points.

Jerome Taylor, who bowled a fairly good length and kept the batsmen quiet for long periods, was Jamaica's next best bowler with two for 38 off 17 overs, while debutant left-arm pacer Sheldon Cotterell, who was the quickest on the day, took one for 33 off 15 overs, and David Bernard Jr, one for 36 off 12.

Jamaica showed better application in their second innings with the in-form Marlon Samuels entertaining the near 2,000-strong crowd with some crisp strokes. He ended unbeaten on 51, including a six and five fours, and first innings top scorer, Brendan Nash, six not out.

Earlier, opener Simon Jackson, who was controversially picked ahead of the experienced Donovan Pagon for the match, showed glimpses of his potential with a solid 49, which included six fours off 107 balls.

His opening partner Danza Hyatt, however, who still seems to be suffering from a finger injury he sustained two months ago, did not fare as well, as he could only muster 17.

Leg-spinner Ravindra Bishoo, Guyana's most successful bowler for the past three seasons, has so far taken one for 23.

"Our aim is to get a lead of 250 or more and defend it, and so far we are off to a good start," said Samuels.

"It's just for us the batsmen to come out again tomorrow (today) and show the requisite application, and our bowlers when asked to bowl again, to get the job done."

Guyana's captain, Assad Fudadin, said poor batting on the part of his batsmen allowed Jamaica back into the game, but he was still confident his team has what it takes to leave the game with a positive result.

"Two days are left, and while Jamaica have made a comeback we are very much into the game. We just need to come tomorrow (today) and bowl in the right areas, like we did in the first innings, and try to get them out for as low a total as possible," he said.

Play resumes today at 10 a.m.

SCOREBOARD

Jamaica 1st Innings 150

Guyana 1st Innings

(overnight 32 for one)

S. Barrington c wkp Walton b Bernard 13
R. Chandrika c Hyatt b Taylor 21
L. Johnson c Hyatt b Brown 22
A. Fudadin lbw b Lambert 23
V. Singh b Cotterel 0
R. Crandon lbw b Brown 4+
D. Christian c wkp Walton b Taylor 39
E. Crandon lbw b Brown 1
V. Permaul lbw b Lambert 27
D. Bishoo c Samuels b Lambert 15
B. Bess not out 1

Extras: (b1, lb10, nb6) 17
TOTAL: (66.1 overs, all out) 183

Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-49, 3-75, 4-76, 5-80, 6-126, 7-132, 8-148, 9-176, 10-183.

Bowling:
Taylor 17-3-38-2,
Cotterel 15-5-32-1,
Bernard 12-3-34-1,
Brown 14-1-54-3,
Hyatt 2-0-7-0,
Lambert 6.1-4-7-3.

Jamaica 2nd Innings

D. Hyatt c Barrington b
E Crandon 17
S. Jackson b Bishoo 49
M. Samuels not out 51
B. Nash not out 8
Extras: (b3) 3
Total: (42 overs, 2 wkts) 128

Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-107.

Bowling:
E Crandon 6-0-22-1,
Bess 6-0-25-0,
Bishoo 9-0-23-1,
Permaul 10-3-31-0,
R Crandon 9-1-15-0,
Fudadin 2-0-9-0.

Toss: Guyana.

Position: Jamaica lead by 95 runs.

Umpires: Clancy Mack, Vivian Johnson.