Cornwall College's cricketers (left to right) Ojay Duhaney, Karl McGrath, Leroy McKenzie and Carlon Snipe, were only too happy to spend yesterday watching the Jamaica versus Guyana WICB Regional Four-day Championship game at Jarrett Park. - photo by Adrian Frater

Western Bureau:

The support for the return of international cricket to Montego Bay, which came in the form of the WICB Regional Four-day Championship game between Jamaica and Guyana at Jarrett Park had one pleasant defining feature, the presence of numerous school children.

For the Cornwall College quartet of Ojay Duhaney, Karl McGrath, Leroy McKenzie and Carlon Snipe - all prominent members of the school's Headley Cup and Under-16 teams - it was an absolute delight to miss a regular day at school to see the Jamaica team, which contained some of their idols, in action.

"It is good to be here in person watching international cricket right here in Montego Bay," said Snipe. "I hope we will continue to see more games like these in Montego Bay."

For Duhaney, who enjoys bowling and wants to become a top bowler one day, his joy was getting an opportunity to see Daren Powell, who is one of his favourite bowlers, sprinting in to bowl.

"I came hoping to get a chance to see Powell bowl and I not only got a chance to see him bowling, but I also saw him getting some wickets," said Duhaney. "I am happy I came here today."

McGrath, who is a batsman and absolutely adores West Indies star batsman Shiv Chanderpaul, said he was most impressed by the allround skills of David Bernard jnr, who had a good game.

"I really like the allround ability of Bernard, although he got a duck in the second innings," said McGrath. "I think he is a very good batsman and an okay bowler and I am happy he is in the West Indies team that is going off to England soon."

A source of inspiration

McKenzie, who hopes to one day represent Jamaica, said seeing cricket of this quality at Jarrett Park is a source of inspiration to him and he is happy the game was being played right in his own hometown.

"It is good to see these cricketers in action because one day I hope I will be out there too representing Jamaica," said McKenzie. "I would love to one day represent Jamaica right here at Jarrett Park."

As an incentive to students and part of its effort to generate solid support for the game, the St James Cricket Association issued an invitation to students from all the schools in and around the parish to attend the game free of charge.