Melbourne, JDF book final date

Jermaine Lannaman, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Melbourne's Andre McCarthy yesterday slammed an impressive century, while the Jamaica Defence Force's (JDF) Dennis Bulli turned in a good all-round performance to guide their respective teams into the finals of the Jamaica Cricket Association Captain's Bakery Limited Overs Championship.

McCarthy, who was a trialist during Jamaica's preparation for the ongoing West Indies Super50 Tournament in Guyana, made 122 not out as Melbourne, last year's beaten finalists, defeated St Catherine by a nailbiting six runs at Melbourne Oval.

Bulli, on the other hand, claimed 3-44 and made 23 not out to lead the JDF to a 10-run win over defending champions St Ann at the Ultimate Cricket Ground.

At Courtney Walsh Drive, Melbourne, who won the toss and decided to bat, after the game was reduced to 39 overs because of overnight rain conditions, made 204-4 off their allotted overs.

McCarthy, who during the three-match national Super50 trials ended as one of the leading run scorers, was best supported by the in-form Damion Jacobs, who made 41.

Bevon Brown, 2-27, took most wickets for St Catherine.

St Catherine, who like Melbourne and St Ann, were fielding under-strength teams because of the absence of their national players, were then restricted to 198-8 with the previously unheralded Ravmon Powell making 42, and leg-spinner Gavin Wallace, 34.

This against Shemar Anderson 2-17, and Dave Johnson 2-32.

Over on the north coast, the JDF won the toss and after batting first, posted 217 off 47.1 overs.

Jermaine Harrison 54, Akbar Moodie 30, and Bulli made most runs for the army men, while Andre Dwyer 2-30, Junior Carr 2-42 took most wickets for St Ann.

The home team, in reply, was then set 207 off 42 overs because of a brief period of showers, but in the end, could only manage 185.

Damion Bryce 36, Marlon Pinnock 32, made the most runs for the Xavier Marshall-less St Ann, while Bulli, captain Damion Gray, 4-35, Akbar Moodie, 3-20, took care of things for the soldiers.

The final will be played on Saturday at a venue to be decided.