Gayle's half-century gives Wolmer's lifeline

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Former national Under-15 batsman, Delbert Gayle, hit 57 not out, but it was not enough to put Wolmer's in a position of control against defending champions Innswood High, at the end of day one of their two-day urban area Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Grace Shield semi-final round clash at Chedwin Park yesterday.

The right-handed Gayle, who was a member of Jamaica's victorious regional Under-15 squads in 2008 and 2009, slammed seven fours in a knock that lasted 84 balls as Wolmer's, having lost the toss and asked to take first strike, ended the day on 136 for six.

Useful contributions

Rain, which came at close to 3 p.m., shortened the day's play by about three hours.

Others who chipped in with useful contributions for the boys from Heroes Circle were opener Carey Richmond, who made 27, and Che-Andre Gordon, who was dismissed for 25.

Charles Tufton, 2, is the other not out batsman and will resume batting this morning along with Gayle, when play resumes at 10:00.

Leg-spinner Jermaine Bennett, three for 18, and off-spinner Peat Salmon, two for 26, led the bowling for the Spanish Town-based Innswood, who last season copped the Grace Shield and knockout double. Having not lost a game this season, they are hoping to win to maintain their dreams of repeating the feat this season.

"I thought we bowled well in the first session. Thereafter, we dropped a couple of catches, which has given Wolmer's a lifeline," said Innswood's coach, Kirk Gordon.

"However, if the rain does not fall tomorrow (today) and we are able to take the field again, we are looking to restrict them to a total of under 200 and try to get at least first innings points," he noted.

In the meantime Gayle, the Wolmer's captain, said: "Things didn't really go according to plan. But the fact that I am at the crease means that we stand a chance of getting a decent first innings total, and that is what the aim will be."