Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
Xavier Marshall driving to the boundary during his innings of 132 against Guyana at Kensington Park yesterday. Wicketkeeper Delbert Hicks looks on.Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
FORMER West Indies Under-15 batsman Xavier Marshall smashed an attacking hundred to put hosts Jamaica in command of their third and final preliminary round West Indies Under-19 cricket match against Guyana at Kensington Park yesterday.
The 17-year-old Marshall who went for 132 reached his first century at this level in his seventh three-day match, flicking paceman Quacy Malty through mid-wicket for four. Marshall was well supported by skipper Shawn Findlay (78) and follow opener Simon Jackson (61) as Jamaica closed day one on 302 for three.
Sent to take first strike, the Jamaicans got off to a very good start, openers Marshall and Jackson took the attack to an ordinary Guyanese bowling attack.
The entire morning session belonged to the host country as Jamaica went to the lunch interval at 87 without loss, Marshall (55) and Jackson playing more carefully on 26.
Upon the resumption Jackson, batting with more confidence, brought up his fifty and along with the more attacking Marshall, Jamaica reached 150 before tea. However just before Zaheer Mohammed who has already taken 18 wickets in the tournament removed Jackson caught at mid-off by Latchmin Rohit. In his 192 minutes stay at the crease, he faced 210 deliveries and hit one four.
Captain Findlay joined Marshall and the two took Jamaica to the tea interval at 175 for one. After the interval, Marshall reached three figures and it was not long his captain brought up his fifty in a more attacking style, despite a missed chance earlier in his innings at mid-on.
However 15 minutes from the scheduled close Mohammed (3-62) struck two quick blows. The former Guayana Under-15 off-spinner first removed Marshall, caught on the long-on boundary by Malty and with the very next ball trapped Findlay, leg before at 290 for three.
Marshall batted for 353 minutes and struck 10 fours and two sixes from 269 balls, while Findlay faced 86 deliveries and hit 10 fours.
St. Clair Searchwell and Howard Powell, both on six, are the batsmen who will resume today.
