THE UNITED States continued their build-up for this month's ICC Champions Trophy by defeating Jamaica by nine runs (Duckworth/Lewis system) at Port Esquivel yesterday.
The US, who arrived in the island last week, scored 199 for seven off 50 overs and, after rain intervened, Jamaica were set 178 off 33 overs. The hosts were dismissed for 169 off 29.4 overs.
When the US batted, former Jamaica Youth player Mark Johnson top scored with 54. The former Kingston College player, who kept goal and wicket in his days at school, belted five fours and three sixes off 67 balls.
Johnson, one of the US veterans, was supported by Tyrone Reid who contributed 36. The pick of the Jamaica bowlers were West Indies pacer Daren Powell (2-32), legspinner Odean Brown (2-20) and former Jamaica Under-19 pacer Dwight Stewart (1-57).
SECOND HALF-CENTURY
In reply, West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Carlton Baugh Jr. hit his second half-century in two games. Baugh, who wasn't considered for the West Indies team preparing for the ICC Champions Trophy in England, got 61 to follow up on his unbeaten 66 on Sunday at Melbourne. In his knock yesterday, the player nicknamed 'Halfa Man' hit six fours and one six off 45 balls.
Tamar Lambert, who made his first-class debut this year for Jamaica, chipped in with 32, while Brown got 23. Donovan Blake (4-30) and Naseer Javed (3-33) took the most wickets for the Jamaican Richard Staple-led Americans.
In Sunday's first of three matches, Jamaica won by seven wickets. Replying to the U.S.'s 278 off 39 overs Jamaica reached to 299 for four, again utilising the Duckworth/Lewis system.
The final match in the three-match series will be played today at Kensington Park.
