Austin... scored 109 n.o.RAIN YESTERDAY interfered with what was expected to be an exciting final round of Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Super League matches.
However JDF, Kingston batsman Nicholas Austin and Renford Pinnock Jnr. from St. Catherine CC must have been smiling at the end of the first day of play.
Despite what happened yesterday, JDF look set at the end of today's play to walk away as the first JCA Super League champions and $300,000.
St. Elizabeth (21 points), who trailed JDF (25) by four points coming into this round, suffered a setback as their game was severely affected by rain against Lucas at Nelson Oval.
AT SABINA PARK: Austin scored an unbeaten 109 to help Kingston to 226 for six against JDF. Austin, who retired hurt on 56 after he was struck by a Kacey Saunds delivery at 99 for four, returned and with veteran Terrence Cooke (61) added 92 for the seventh wicket.
Austin has so far struck 15 fours from 212 deliveries, while Cooke's 83-ball knock included six fours and one six. Karmal Dennis 2-39 and Saunds 2-50 were the leading bowlers.
AT CHEDWIN PARK: St. Catherine CC took first innings points from St. Ann, who turned up late for the game. St. Ann were dismissed for 109 against David Morgan 5-32 and Bevon Brown 4-34.
In St. Catherine's reply of 253, apart from Pinnock's 105, no other St. Catherine batsmen were able to get past 30. George Adams took 5-57 and Andre Dwyer 3-5 for St. Ann.
AT NELSON OVAL: Lucas forfeited the toss against St. Elizabeth who sent them in to take first strike. The Gayle brothers, Wayne, 51, and Chris, 45, led the way as Lucas reached 112 for four against legspinner Alton Beckford who has so far taken 3-25 to take his season tally to 32 wickets.
AT MELBOURNE OVAL: Melbourne, batting first, closed on 142 for six with Donovan Pagon, 37, Robert Samuels, 35, and Llewellyn Meggs, 18 not out, leading the way against Sean Edwards (3-27) and Vinard Woolcock (2-29).
AT KENSINGTON PARK: In the battle of the bottom-placed teams, St. Catherine Parish scored 213 against Kensington who closed on seven for one. Brothers Gregory and Colin Buchanan scored 44 each for St. Catherine Parish against Wavell Hinds (6-52), Daren Powell (2-74) and Marcus Stewart (2-27).
