Masterful Marlon - Samuels smashes historic double to rally Jamaica

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

History was made at the Alpart Sports Club, St Elizabeth, yesterday when the in-form Marlon Samuels slammed a majestic unbeaten 250 to put Jamaica in pole position on day three of their West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-day Tournament opening-round clash against Guyana.

The free flowing right-hander, who resumed the day on 52 not out, went on to record what was the only first-class double century scored at the venue, and his seventh overall, as Jamaica, after being bowled out for a paltry 150 in their first innings, rebounded to post 391 for four declared.

Guyana, who had on day two claimed first innings honours after making 183 and needing 359 to win outright, then closed the day at 58 without loss, 301 runs behind.

Jamaica resumed the day on 128, an overall lead of 95.

Bowling attack

Led by Samuels, who caressed the ball to all parts of the ground and had the bumper crowd that was in attendance eating from the palms of his hands, and Brendan Nash, who played the perfect foil, Jamaica were able to thwart Guyana's bowling attack, which on day one was firing on all cylinders.

"I had a very good Caribbean Twenty20 tournament, scored a big hundred in the trial matches and have been in good nick. So this innings is just a continuation of that," said Samuels, who was making his highest ever score for Jamaica.

He added: "It feels good as it has put the team in a good position to force an outright result and I am confident that with the bowling attack we have we can do it."

Samuels hit 22 fours, most with effortless timing, and seven sixes in over seven hours of batting. Nash, who batted for close to two and a half hours before retiring hurt on 25 due to a hamstring injury, shared in a partnership of 97 for the third wicket.

This was then followed by a 104-run fourth-wicket stand between Samuels and Wavell Hinds, who made 21 off 70 balls while changing gears between solid defence and attacking strokeplay.

Top bowler

Guyana's top bowler on day one, 23-year-old Brandon Bess, who at the time bowled a tight line and length, could not repeat his efforts in the second innings and ended with one for 53 from 14 overs. His opening ball partner, Esuan Crandon, claimed two for 72 from 18 overs to end as their leading bowler.

Jamaica, however, did not end the day in total control as thanks to openers Rajindra Chandrika, 37 not out, and Shemroy Barrington, 19 not out, Guyana were able to keep Jamaica's bowling attack at bay for over an hour, thus setting up what could be an enthralling final day.

Guyana's captain, Assad Fudadin, who along with former West Indies Under-14 captain, Leon Johnson, are expected to be the backbone in the visitors' quest, said his team plans to take it session by session.

"We allowed Jamaica to make too many runs. But having said that we have got a bright start and if we can build on it anything is possible," he said.

Play resumes at 10 a.m. today.


JAMAICA 1st Innings 150 (Brandon Bess 5-28)

GUYANA 1st Innings 183

JAMAICA 2nd Innings

(overnight 128 for two)

D Hyatt c Barrington b E Crandon 17S Jackson b Bishoo 49M Samuels not out 250B Nash ret. hurt 25T Lambert c R Crandon b E Crandon 5W Hinds b Bess 21D Bernard not out 15Extras: (b6, w1, nb2) 9

TOTAL: (4 wkts decl., 114.4 overs) 391

Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-107, 3-220, 4-325.

Bowling: E Crandon 18-0-72-2, Bess 14-0-53-1, Bishoo 26-1-87-1, Permaul 35.4-8-115-0, R Crandon 16-2-50-0, Fudadin 2-0-8-0.

GUYANA 2nd Innings (target: 359)

S Barrington not out 19R Chandrika not out 37Extras: (nb2) 2

TOTAL: (without loss, 21 overs) 58

Bowling: 5-1-8-0, Cotterel 4-1-15-0, Bernard 3-0-9-0, Brown 5-1-9-0, Lambert 4-1-17-0.

Toss: Guyana.

Position: Guyana require 301 runs to win with all 10 wickets in tact.

Umpires: Clancy Mack, Vivian Johnson.