GROS-ISLET, Saint Lucia (CMC):

A fine all-round performance by Saint Lucian Darren Sammy put the Windward Islands in strong contention for first innings honours against Jamaica in their Carib Beer second-round match at the Beausejour Cricket Ground yesterday.

Sammy finished the day unbeaten on 69 having earlier recorded very tidy bowling figures of four for 51 off 24 overs with six maidens, as the Windwards closed on 196 for four in reply to Jamaica's first innings 289 all out.

Resuming from their overnight 231 for six, Jamaica lost Carlton Baugh off the third ball of the day, caught by Rawl Lewis at slip off pacer Jean Paul without any further addition.

Nikita Miller and Andre Russell linked up and frustrated the Windwards in an eighth-wicket stand of 42 before Sammy trapped Russell leg before wicket for 18.

The tall all-rounder then had No. 10 batsman Jermaine Lawson caught by Devon Smith at slip for five and it was left to Miller (27 not out) and Dwyer, who was run out for seven, to push them to within 11 runs of the 300-mark.

Sammy's four-wicket haul was supported by pacers Deighton Butler and Paul and spinners Lewis and Dennis George, who all claimed one wicket each.

When the Windwards started their reply, Devon Smith and Heron Campbell put on 66 for the first wicket.

The partnership was broken when Smith (26) was run out looking for a second run.

Then Campbell, who batted cautiously as he approached his half century, was trapped lbw for 48 by left-arm spinner Miller as the Windwards slipped to 79 for two.

dismissal of the day

The most spectacular dismissal of the day was that of veteran wicket-keeper/batsman Junior Murray.

The 38-year-old former West Indies glove-man cut seamer Wavell Hinds powerfully to gully where Brenton Parchent came up with a dazzling one handed catch - diving to his left - that put the Windwards under pressure at 86 for three.

Sammy and André Fletcher then added 39 for the fourth wicket before Fletcher was dislodged lbw by fast bowler Lawson (1-52) for a patient 17.

Sammy was joined by Hyron Shallow and the two took the Windwards to the close with an unbroken partnership of 71.

Sammy has so far struck six fours in a 151-minute stay at the crease while Shallow batted responsibly for an undefeated 27.

Jamaica came close to dismissing Sammy but Danza Hyatt failed to hold on to a sharp chance at forward short leg off Tamar Lambert when Sammy was on 57.

Meanwhile, play in the second- round Carib Beer Series match between Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana at Guaracara Park was abandoned yesterday for the second day in a row because of a water-logged outfield.

JAMAICA 1st Innings

(overnight 231 for 6)

+C. Baugh c Lewis b Paul

7

N. Miller not out

27

A. Russell lbw Sammy

18

J. Lawson c Smith b Sammy

5

A. Dwyer run out

7

Extras (b3, lb2, nb22)

27

Total (all out - 109.2 overs)

289

Fall of wickets: 1-153, 2-190, 3-204,

4-205, 5-206, 6-227, 7-231, 8-272, 9-278

Bowling: Butler 14-4-36-1 (2nb); Paul 19-2-64-1 (10nb); Sammy 24-6-51-4; Lewis 18.1-4-51-1 (6nb); George 31.2-7-80-1 (4nb), Sebastian 0.5-0-0-0, Smith 2-1-2-0.

WINDWARDS 1st Innings

D. Smith run out

26

H. Campbell lbw Miller

48

A. Fletcher lbw Lawson

17

+J. Murray c Parchment b Hinds

6

D. Sammy not out

69

H. Shallow not out

27

Extras (lb1, nb2)

3

TOTAL (for 4 wickets - 71 overs) 196

Fall of wickets: 1-66, 2-79, 3-86, 4-125.

Bowling: Lawson 13-3-52-1; Russell 2-0-9-0 (1nb); Bernard 12-5-30-0, Hinds 9-4-21-1; Miller 20-7-36-1; Dwyer 10-0-31-0 (1nb); Lambert 5-0-16-0.

Darren Sammy