Corbin's 74 lifts CCC at Chedwin

Jermaine Lannaman, Sunday Gleaner Writer

SOLID batting by young Barbadian batsman Kyle Corbin and some fiery spells of fast bowling from Andrew Richardson yesterday highlighted the second day of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-day Tournament top-of-the-table clash between Jamaica and the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) at Chedwin Park, St Catherine.

The right-handed Corbin, who is a graduate of the WICB/Sagicor High Performance Centre, with a century and three half-centuries heading into the contest, has been one of the finds of the tournament so far. He hit a top score of 74, as the CCC, resuming on 90 without loss, went on to close the day, which was again hampered by rain, on 253 for seven.

Richardson ended as Jamaica's top bowler with figures of three for 48.

The day, which began in a similar fashion to that of day one when a wet and soggy outfield overnight resulted in the entire morning session being lost, saw the 20-year-old Corbin, who slammed seven fours, and three sixes, taking the attack to Jamaica's bowlers, especially during the post-lunch session, as CCC, who began the match fourth in the points standings, went in search of a challenging first-innings total.

During his sojourn, he was fortunate to have young Jamaican batsman Shacoya Thomas as his partner as they built a solid partnership of 87 runs.

Thomas, who attends The Mico University College locally, and by virtue of this became eligible to represent the CCC, made 34 while overnight batsmen Omar Phillips 58, and Romel Currency, also 34, made notable contributions.

Brown best bowler

Leg-spinner Odean Brown, who Corbin took a liking to shortly after he came to the crease, ended as Jamaica's second-best bowler with three for 64.

"After the start we had on day one, I thought our batsmen dug in well and by the end of the day, we were able to get to a pretty decent total," said Phillips, the CCC captain.

"Our aim is to now come tomorrow and tighten the screws as we have batting right down to number eleven, and the hope is that we will be able to post a total of over 300."

Jamaica's captain, Tamar Lambert, was equally satisfied with the performance of his team, saying they fought well in the two sessions, and he was looking forward to today's play.

"We were able to take seven wickets which, overall, I thought was good. It's just for us now to come tomorrow and claim the last three wickets, and try our best to claim first innings," he said.

Play will resume today at 9:30 a.m., weather permitting.