Richardson, Nash put Jamaica on top

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica ended yesterday's third and penultimate day of their top-of-the-table West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four-day Tournament clash with Trinidad and Tobago at Sabina Park in pole position after claiming first innings points and closing the day on 116 for three in their second innings.

The Jamaicans, who like Trinidad are chasing points to guarantee themselves a top-two finish in the preliminary round in order to host one of the two semi-final matches, were propelled to first innings honours on the back of a good spell of fast bowling from Andrew Richardson, who claimed three for 47.

Second innings

They then started their second innings with a 77-run lead and thanks to 39 from Marlon Samuels and an unbeaten 33 from Brendan Nash, they were able to close with an overall lead of 193.

Resuming on their overnight 172 for three, Trinidad started spectacularly with overnight batsmen - the Ganga brothers - Daren and Sherwin, who resumed on 75 and 11 not out, respectively, taking the charge to Jamaica with plethora of authentic drives and cuts around the ground.

Leading the way was older brother, Daren, who went on to post a top score of 103 in over five and a half hours, hitting 12 fours and a six.

First victim

However, he became the first victim of the day as shortly after reaching his landmark, with the score on 236 and the pair having shared 92 for the fourth wicket, Daren played a lousy shot outside of off stump and was caught at gully by Samuels off the bowling of medium pacer Wavell Hinds.

It wasn't joy for Jamaica as prior to the fall of the wicket they had to contend with the loss of front-line pacer Jerome Taylor, who picked up a back injury and had to leave the field.

The wicket also signalled the start of what would be a mighty collapse for the Trinis as thanks to Richardson; David Bernard Jr., who took two for 30; and part-time medium pacer Nash, who claimed two for one, Trinidad went on to lose their final six wickets for 41 runs.

JAMAICA 1st Innings 356

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 1st Innings

(overnight 172 for three)

T. Maraj c Jackson b Richardson 9L. Simmons lbw b Taylor 56D. Ganga c Samuels b Hinds 103

J. Mohammed c wkpr Walton b

Richardson 13S. Ganga c wkpr Walton b Bernard 48+D. Ramdin c wkpr Walton b Nash 12I. Khan lbw b Bernard 4R. Emrit run out 0Y. Cariah lbw b Richardson 7A. Jaggernauth not out 5S. Gabriel c wkpr Walton b Nash 1

Extras: (b5, lb7, w2, nb7) 21

TOTAL: (all out, 114.2 overs) 279

Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-101, 3-144, 4-236, 5-242, 6-252, 7-256, 8-269, 9-277

Bowling: Taylor 17.3-5-42-1, Richardson 20-3-47-3, Bernard 15-6-30-2, Hyatt 3-1-12-0, Hinds 16.3-9-17-1, Brown 27-5-80-0,Lambert 9-2-28-0, Nash 6.2-2-11-2

JAMAICA 2nd Innings

S. Jackson c wkpr Ramdin b S. Ganga 26D. Hyatt c wkpr Ramdin b Gabriel 3M. Samuels c Khan b Jaggernauth 39B. Nash not out 33T. Lambert not out 3

Extras: (b4, lb1, w1, nb6) 12

TOTAL: (3 wkts, 38 overs) 116

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-51, 3-111

Bowling: Gabriel 5-1-18-1, Emrit 13-5-18-0, S. Ganga 4-1-21-1, Simmons 6-0-22-0, Cariah 3-0-24-0, Jaggernauth 7-1-8-1

Position: Jamaica lead by 193 runs with seven second innings wickets standing

Umpires: V. Bullen, V. Johnson

Matchreferee: M. Hylton

Reserve umpire: P. Gustard.