Western Bureau:
Jamaica all but sealed the WICB regional four-day title yesterday at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, near Falmouth, when they dismissed the Windward Islands for 222 runs in reply to their first-innings 229 to take first innings points.
The local lads, who are now on 96 points, just need to avoid defeat in this game to be assured of the title, which would also see them becoming the first recipients of the Headley/Weekes Trophy, which is the new symbol of supremacy in Caribbean four-day cricket.
"Our bowlers did well to restrict the Windward Islands below our total, so a lot of credit should go to them," said Jamaica captain Tamar Lambert. "Tomorrow, we will be looking to bat through the entire day and then see what happens from there."
Easy first-innings lead
After looking on course for an easy first-innings lead with the Windward Islands at 176 for nine, Jamaica were given a scare when the last pair of Kenroy Peters and Nelon Pascal added 46, pulling within seven runs of wrecking the home team's joy. However, David Bernard trapped Pascal leg before for 18 to end their resistance. Peters was left undefeated on 23.
Bowling for Jamaica, Bernard was the top wicket-taker, grabbing four wickets for 31 runs off 13.3 overs. Odean Brown and Andrew Richardson also got among the wickets, taking three wickets for 49 runs and two wickets for 39 off 13 overs.
Resuming yesterday on 223 for nine wickets with wicketkeeper/batsman Carlton Baugh Jr on 53 and last man in Andrew Richards on seven, Jamaica added a mere eight runs more, before Baugh played on to Kenroy Peters for 61, ending the innings at 229.
Bowling for the Windward Island, Peters finished with five for 60 off 27.2 overs. Nelon Pascal two for 57 off 14 overs, while Andre Fletcher and Deighton Butler had a wicket each.
In their turn at bat, the Windward Islands also got off to a less-than-desirable start as with the score on 20, Miles Bascombe was trapped leg before wicket by Andrew Richardson. One run later, Andre Fletcher was also sent packing, trapped in front by David Bernard Jr, for one to leave his team in a spot of bother at 21 for two.
However, West Indies opener Devon Smith (55) found a worthy partner in Daniel Hector and together they took the score to 67 for two at lunch. Smith went into the break on 20 while Hector was on 23 - a partnership of 46 runs.
Run out for 14
On the resumption, Smith and Hector added another 15 runs before Hector departed leg before to Bevon Brown for 27 with the score on 83. Liam Sebastien and Smith added 25 before a mad mix-up between them resulted in Sebastien being run out for 14 with the score on 107 for four.
Jamaica got the prized scalp of Smith with the score on 125 when he did not play a shot to a ball from Brown, and had his off-stump knocked back. Smith's knock lasted for 135 balls and included four fours.
Batting a second time, Jamaica were eight runs for one wicket at the close.
AT QUEEN'S PARK OVAL: Trinidad and Tobago, replying to Guyana's 282, were 53 for one at the close.
Scores: Guyana 282 (Sewnarine Chattergoon 68, Steven Jacobs 54; Imran Khan 5-42)
T&T 53 for one (Adrian Barath 29 not out).
AT GROVE PARK: Leeward Islands, replying to Combined Campuses & Colleges first innings total of 519, reached 75 for one at the close.
Scores: Combined Campuses & Colleges 519 (Omar Phillips 204, Floyd Reifer 92, Kyle Corbin 67; Anthony Martin 3-122, Gavin Tonge 2-64)
Leeward Islands 75 for one (Kieran Powell 41, Montcin Hodge 32 not out)