Miller, Parchment steer Bernard XI to victory

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

A near run-a-ball 31 not out from Kensington middle-order batsman Horace Miller, and 31 from St Elizabeth opener Brenton Parchment carried David Bernard XI to a five-wicket win over Tamar Lambert XI at Kensington Park yesterday, in the first of four trial matches to help select Jamaica's team for next January's Caribbean Twenty20 Tournament.

The 22-year-old Miller, who made his Twenty20 debut for Jamaica last season, scored his runs off 28 balls with one six and three fours.

Parchment made his score off 30 balls, slamming two sixes and a four as Bernard Jr XI, chasing 130 for victory, reached their target with eight balls to spare.

"I came at a stage when the team was losing wickets and we were falling behind the run rate, so the team needed someone to step up and that's what I did," said Miller.

He added: "I am happy because my plans coming into the trials is to end not out every time, and so far so good."

Others who chipped in with valuable contributions in Bernard Jr XI's run chase were Melbourne's Andre McCarthy, who made a 20-ball 26, and St Elizabeth's Shawn Findlay, who hit 24 off 20 balls.

Good opener

Earlier, 19-year-old Hanover opener Kenar Lewis - the find for Jamaica during their successful regional Super50 campaign in October - struck 42 off 40 balls and Kingston opener Simon Jackson, with 25 from 26 balls, guided Lambert XI to 129.

St Elizabeth left-arm spinner Howard Powell claimed 3-10 off two overs.

"It was a fairly good start to the trial matches, especially as it relates to the fielders," said Jamaica coach Junior Bennett.

"The competition for places in the final squad is expected to be tight and it was good to see players trying to make a claim for themselves," he added.

The second and third trial matches will be played today and tomorrow at Kensington Park, starting time 1 p.m.