BENNETT

GROS ISLET, St. Lucia (CMC):

Both Jamaica and Windward Islands have remained positive despite recording their second successive stalemate of the Carib Beer Series Monday.

In a rain-affected match at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, the two teams played to a tame draw with Jamaica taking first innings points.

Last week in the opening round of matches, Windwards played to a no decision with Guyana while the fixture between Jamaica and Leewards finished in a draw.

"It was a hard-fought game and we were looking for more points than our opponents," Jamaica's coach Junior Bennett told CMC Sports. "We played some good cricket on the third morning because at 196 for four chasing 289, the Windwards seemed to be threat-ening. We stuck to our task and came out with first innings points."

Full of praise

He was full of praise for opener Danza Hyatt who was one of four late replacements after Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor and Daren Powell returned to Jamaica to prepare for the West Indies tour of India.

"Our performance in this second round was an improvement on the first in that we lost four of our top players and for the replacement guys to have come here and perform so well was magnificent," Bennett said. "Danza Hyatt batted extremely well and had a good partnership with Brenton Parchment in the first innings. It was a very good game for us."

Windwards coach, Ian Allen, said he was undaunted by the fact his team was languishing at the bottom of the standings after two rounds of the competition.

"With seven points, the competition is still open as far as we are concerned. We, however, need to be more committed in certain situations,"Allen explained.

Dismissed

He was referring the fact Windwards were 196 for four at stumps on the second day in reply to Jamaica's first innings 289 but were dismissed for 251 before lunch on the third day.

"We had put ourselves in a good position, but did not approach the situation in the way we should have," added Allen.

The Windwards next play Barbados at Benjamin Park in Dominica while the Jamaicans host Guyana. Jamaica have nine points while Windwards are on seven points.