- JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Leewards Captain Sylvester Joseph rocks on to the back foot and plays a shot on the way to scoring 47 runs against Jamaica on the first day of their Carib-Beer Series match at Kensington Oval, yesterday. Joseph was one of Richardson's five victims, caught behind by wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jr.
Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
JAMAICA'S FAST bowler Andrew Richardson credited better assessment of the pitch in the late afternoon for his success on yesterday's opening day of their regional first round Carib Beer Series match against Leeward Islands at Kensington Park.
Richardson, who bowled two wicketless spells for 28 runs prior to the tea interval, returned a devastating performance afterwards to finish with 5-32 off 10.3 overs.
"I didn't start all that well this morning in my first spell, I was really below par," explained Richardson, a former West Indies Under-15 pacer.
TALKING TO COACH HELPED
Richardson, who missed last season's competition with a back injury, said talking to coach Robert Haynes at the tea break really helped him afterwards.
"He (Haynes) told me what he thought I must do and I just went out there and executed it," said Richardson, who took 36 wickets in his first season (2003/04).
The 24-year-old Kingston Club player explained the reason for his and Jamaica's poor first session, especially after winning the toss and choosing to bowl.
"The wicket had some moisture, we had the new ball, but we didn't execute, we just didn't put the ball in the right areas as the plan.
"... But definitely after tea, we assessed it and came back and did the job," he said.
He was on a hat-trick after removing Winden Cornwall for three and Omari Banks with successive deliveries, but had to wait two balls afterwards to dismiss Carl Simons for nought.
Commenting on the spoilt chance of a hat-trick, Richardson said: "I didn't get it right at that time ... but I came back the other ball and got the wicket, so that was all right."
