Creary ... patiently compiled a century - File BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):
A patient, well-compiled century by André Creary, coupled with intelligent bowling, helped Jamaica main-tain their advantage over Barbados at the end of the second day in their third-round TCL West Indies Under-19 Challenge match yesterday.
Playing at the Edgar Gilbert Sports Complex, Creary hit 101 as Jamaica declared their first innings at 312 for nine and spinners Jamie Merchant (3-40) and Nkruma Bonner (2-63) then restricted Barbados to 202 for six at the close, still 110 runs short.
Solid partnership
Creary, unbeaten on 75 overnight, batted for 337 minutes and faced 317 balls, hitting 11 boundaries.
In reply, Barbados slipped to a precarious 92 for five with Roger Williams (2), Simon Steele (16), Ashley Nurse (4) and Shamarh Brooks (19) all going cheaply.
The only batsman from the top order who appeared willing to show any resistance to the Jamaican bowlers was Rashidi Boucher who made a dogged 36.
A solid sixth-wicket partnership of 74between Shamar Cooke and Kyle Hope, who hit contrasting knocks of 52, then helped to redeem the situation.
While Hope was belligerent, slamming four fours and four sixes from 73 balls during 114 minutes of batting, Cooke batted for 136 minutes stroking four fours off 105 deliveries in his unbeaten knock.
Cooke is partnered by Arthur (16) and they have so far added 36 for the seventh wicket.
Starting the day at 203 for three, Jamaica got a significant contribution from the fourth-wicket pair as Creary added a quick-fire 65 with Nkruma Bonner who made 43.
Three wickets fell in quick succession when the partnership was broken as the Jamaicans went on an all-out attack in an effort to increase their run rate.
Notched up half century
Creary, who continued to bat patiently, however, eventually notched up his maiden century at this level half an hour before lunch. Stuck on 97 for 17 deliveries, the diminutive right-hander danced down the track to Ashley Nurse and drove him elegantly down to the long-off boundary to reach his landmark.
Attempting another big shot the very next ball, Creary was caught inches inside the midwicket boundary.
Off-spinner Nurse was the most successful bowler taking four for 48 runs, while Amal Nurse, who bowled well without much luck, picked up two for 59.
