Graham, Sinclair sparkle in JAM T20

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

A quickfire 121 off 50 balls by St Elizabeth's Krishna Graham and Manchester's batting all-rounder, Donovan Sinclair, who took an amazing six wickets for four runs, highlighted the final set of matches in the first round of the new Jamaica Cricket Association JAM Twenty20 Bashment over the weekend.

Graham, who represented the national Under-19 team earlier this year, slammed 11 sixes and seven fours to help St Elizabeth record a 79-run win over Clarendon in the second game of a double-header in Group B at Manley Morne Park, St Elizabeth.

The 26-year-old Sinclair, on the other hand, who has represented Jamaica in three regional limited-overs matches and one first-class match against the touring Australians in 2008, mesmerised his opponents with his part-time leg spin as Manchester beat G.C. Foster College by 76 runs in the venue's curtain-raiser.

St Elizabeth, by virtue of winning, also qualified for the quarter-finals of the championship.

St Elizabeth qualified as one of six first-round group winners, while Manchester claimed one of the best second-place spot by virtue of having the healthiest run rate.

Second-place team

The other group winners are Hanover (Group A), Kingston (Group B), Melbourne (Group D), St Ann (Group E) and defending champions St Elizabeth (Group F).

The next best second-place team spot went to Westmoreland (Group A).

The quarter-finals will be contested this Saturday and next Sunday at Kensington Park with double-headers, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

In last weekend's feature contest, St Elizabeth made a challenging 201-8, with Graham getting support from Davion Davidson (27).

Clarendon, despite an unbeaten 48 from Marcel Parchment and 28 from Krishmar Santokie, were restricted to 122-7. Brenton Parchment, bowling his part-time off-spin, took 3-17.

Manchester, in the meanwhile, posted 158-9 with former national Under-19 standout, opener Zeniffe Fowler, getting 62, as Oshane Wilson took 3-17.

G.C. Foster were then dismissed for 83 off 15 overs, with Sinclair leading the way.

In other results, West-moreland defeated Trelawny by 71 runs, and Hanover got the better of St James by 17 runs at Paradise Oval in Group A.

Kingston beat St Thomas by 70 runs and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) defeated Lucas by 80 runs at Up Park Camp in Group C.

Melbourne gained a walkover against Boys' Town and Kingston and St Andrew Cricket Association scored a 31-run win over Kensington at Maxfield Park in Group D.

St Ann overcame the challenge of Police by 17 runs in a game reduced to 10 overs per side; and St Mary beat Portland by 41 runs at Palmer Park in Group E.

Meanwhile, St Catherine CC defeated Portmore XI by five wickets and Social Development Commission champions, Old Harbour, got the better of St Catherine CA by 34 runs at Bridgeport Sports Complex in Group F.

At Paradise, Westmoreland made 175-8 (Jason Thompson, Derval Green, 46 each). Trelawny 106-9 (Oral Rankine making 37, Nicoy Samuels bagging 4-20).

Hanover 137 (Omar Campbell scoring 21), St James 120-8 (McKoy Ewan 4-23).

At Up Park Camp, Kingston 204-3 (Chadwick Walton, 86, Simon Jackson 54). St Thomas134 off 17.5 overs.

The JDF 233-3 (Avroy Harris 104, including seven sixes and eight fours, Joseph Palmer 76). Lucas 153-4 (Ramon Senior 74 not out).

At Maxfield Park, Kingston and St Andrew 170-4 (Elvis Watson 43). Kensington 139 in 19 overs (David Bernard Jnr 80).

At Palmer Park, St Ann made 107-5 (Marlon Johnson getting 43). Police 90-8 (Gerald Laing 47, John Campbell 3-16).

St Mary151-7 Anthony Walters 48, Carl Brissett 3-21). Portland 110/6 (Andre Creary 3-21).

At Bridgeport Sports Complex, Portmore XI 137 Dwight Williams 40. St Catherine 142-5 off 16.1 overs (Wayne Morgan 51 not out, Junior Stewart 38 not out).

Old Harbour 136-9 (Pete Salmon and Robert Cato, 31 each, Erron Downer 4-12, Aaron Daley 3-38, Nkrumah Bonner 2-24). St Catherine CA 102 off 16.2 overs (Mikel Brown 3-26).