Despite facing a first innings score which is likely to go well past 300, Jamaica's coach Andre Coley is quite optimistic that his troops can rally and record a positive result in their TCL Group WICB Under-19 three-day cup which is currently under way at Kensington Park.
The Trinidadians, who won the toss and predictably chose to bat on a placid wicket, closed yesterday's first day on 305-4 with No. three batsman Evin Lewis getting a well-played 90, captain Yannick Ottley 66 not out, and opener Nicholas Alexis 42.
Moneague College's left-arm spinner Patrick Harty (1-71) has the best bowling figures so far.
Not a great position
"It's not a great position to be in, but it's neither a terrible position," said Coley, who is in his third stint with the team, having won the one-day crown and finished second in three-day championship in 2007.
"If we had batted first I have no doubt that we would have been in a similar position. The track was difficult to bowl on as anything that was slightly off line was punished and our bowlers weren't as consistent as they could have been.
"It must also be noted that we had to contend with injuries and ailments to our lead spinners, Harty and (off-spinner) Jermaine Blackwood. So all in all it was not an entirely bad effort, although I think the team gave away about 30 or 40 runs and could have taken two or three more wickets. A score of 260-6/270-7 would have sounded a lot better," he added.
Winning the toss
Trinidad and Tobago coach Kelvin Williams said he was happy with his team's showing.
"It's a great position to be in," said Williams. "After seeing the wicket we knew that winning the toss would be crucial and our batsman have so far capitalised," he added.
At Chedwin Park: The Windward Islands were responding well to a creditable first innings total posted by Barbados. Scores: Barbados 218 (Dario Cummins 81, Anthony Alleyne 62; Dalton Polius 5-78). Windwards 38-1 (Kavem Hodge 20 not out, Aricus Browne 15 not out; Jason Holder 1-7).
At Up Park Camp: Guyana were two runs shy of claiming a first innings lead over the Leeward Islands, who won the toss and chose to take first strike. Scores: Leewards 189 (46.5 overs) (Jamal Hamilton 55 not out, Kejel Tyson (c) 33; Seon Daniels 3-28). Guyana 187-6 (41 overs) (Trevon Griffith 104; Quintin Boatswain 3-28).