ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, CMC:
A KEEN battle for first innings points seems likely to ensue after West Indies 'B' batted stubbornly right down the order to post a respectable total against Jamaica in their rain-marred fifth round match of the Carib Beer 2004 Cricket Series at Stanford Cricket Ground yesterday.
Jamaica were 11 for one, replying to the 'B' Team's first innings total of 242, when bad light ended play five overs early on the third day of the match that was badly affected by rain and unplayable conditions on the first two days.
Danza Hyatt, one of three Jamaicans in the 'B' Team's final 11, hit the top score of 55, Austin Richards, Jr scored 43, Kenroy Williams made 31 and three other batsmen passed 20, but all were guilty of not carrying on.
Off-spin bowler Gareth Breese, the Jamaica captain, and fast bowler Andrew Richardson shared six wickets equally and fast bowler Dwight Mais grabbed two for 35 to lead the visitors' bowling.
Jamaica lost opening batsman Brenton Parchment when he was run out for nought by Hyatt's direct hit at the non-striker's end in the nine overs they faced before the umpires offered Keith Hibbert and Mario Ventura light.
BEDTIME POSITION
Earlier, the 'B' Team continued from their bedtime position of 46 for two and benefited from a third-wicket stand of 58 between captain Jason Haynes and Hyatt. The two batted with confidence against the varied Jamaica attack before Haynes was caught close to the wicket off Breese for 27.
This proved to be a turbulent period for the 'B' Team. They lost three wickets for 19 runs with Patrick Browne going caught behind for four off Breese and Hyatt offering a return catch to the same bowler to leave the 'B' Team 95 for five.
West Indies 'B' reached 114 for five at lunch and again profited from a half-century stand for the sixth wicket between Richards and Williams. The two shared 69 either side of the interval and mixed sound defence with aggression.
The 'B' Team, however, lost their way once more when both Richards and Williams were adjudged lbw to Dave Bernard Jr. and Mais respectively, and Antonio Thomas was caught in the deep for 23 to give Mais his second wicket and leave the development side on 202 for eight.
Ryan Austin with 21 and Jason Bennett with 11 showed there was some sting in the 'B' Team's tail, but Richardson and Ryan Cunningham made sure their total was not too out of the way with limited time left in the match.
West Indies 'B' entered the match in third position on 24 points and Jamaica fourth on 22.
