CASTRIES, St. Lucia (AP):RESOLUTE BATTING by the Windward Islands' lower order took the squad to within striking distance of Jamaica's first-innings score by close of yesterday's play in their Carib Beer series match.
A near century seventh-wicket stand between Darren Sammy and Shane Shillingford, both of whom scored 55, helped the Windwards to 247 for eight, just 19 short of Jamaica's 266.
Sammy and Shillingford added 97 before being parted. Shillingford and fast bowler Fernix Thomas then frustrated the Jamaicans further in putting on another 48 together.
At one point, Jamaica seemed poised to run over the Windwards after six wickets had gone down for 101. But Sammy and Shillingford played their highest knocks at that level of the game, with Sammy hitting seven fours in his 55 while Shillingford has so far hit five.
Thomas was a productive partner with Shillingford, hitting sixes off Jamaican spinners Gareth Breese and Ryan Cunningham.
The Windward Islands needed just 13 balls to wrap up the Jamaica first innings when play resumed on 258 for eight. The last two wickets both fell to Thomas.
But Jamaica quickly seized the initiative when the Windwards began its response, sending back opener Rommel Currency in the very first over. He was bowled off stump by the pace of Andrew Richardson, who then accounted for newcomer Craig Emmanuel caught at the wicket, cutting.
With the score on 49, West Indies opener Devon Smith was next out, trapped leg before by Evon McInniss.
Former West Indies wicketkeeper batsman Junior Murray took four boundaries off Dave Bernard's bowling, including three in one over. But at 18 he pushed forward to Breese and was caught at mid-off.
Jamaica first innings
(Resumed at 258-8)
N. Perry b Thomas 30
A. Richardson lbw Thomas 4
A. Cunningham not out 0
Extras: (lb6, nb8) 14
Total: (all out) 266
Fall: 1-9, 2-60, 3-67, 4-110, 5-132, 6-195, 7-205, 8-237, 9-266
Bowling: C. Cuffy 22-5-56-2 (1nb);F. Thomas 14.1-1-57-2 (4nb);D. Sammy 16-3-54-2 (1nb); O. Jackson 17-3-42-1;S. Shillingford 14-4-35-1;R. Lewis 9-2-15-1 (2nb).
Windward Islands first innings
R. Currency b Richardson 4
D. Smith lbw McInniss 22
C. Emmanuel c Hibbert b Richardson 4
J. Murray c Lambert b Breese 18
L. James c Breese b Perry 23
R. Lewis c Hibbert b Cunningham 21
D. Sammy b Breese 55
S. Shillingford not out 55
O. Jackson b Cunningham 1
F. Thomas not out 28
Extras: 16
Total: (for eight wkts) 247
Fall: 1-5, 2-29, 3-49, 4-61, 5-98, 6-101, 7198, 8-199.
Bowling: A. Richardson 11-2-45-2,E. McInniss 9.2-0-32-1, D. Bernard 10.4-0-45-0, G. Breese 25-2-73-2, N. Perry 14.1-5-29-1, R. Cunningham 14-9-20-2.
