GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):
JAMAICA COMFORTABLY disposed of the Leeward Islands by six wickets in their KFC Cup opener at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence yesterday.
Leeward Islands captain Runako Morton won the toss and had little hesitation in taking first use of the pitch, but his team's 167 all out off 44.3 overs would have represented a major disappointment.
Jamaica, experiencing limited trouble, strolled home at 169 for four in 39.5 overs after a solid batting effort led by Shawn Findlay's 41 and Brenton Parchment's 40.
The Leeward Islands innings was built on two substantial partnerships, both involving top scorer and man-of-the-match, Omari Banks, who stroked 62 from 107 balls and claimed two for 46.
Banks posted 52 for the fourth wicket with Morton, who contributed an attacking 44 from 69 balls with five fours, after the Leewards found themselves in early difficulties at 35 for three in the eighth over.
While Morton, the Trinidad-based Nevisian, was never shy in attacking the bowlers, Banks provided a supporting role initially before adopting Morton's aggressive approach after his captain departed at 87 for four.
Pugnacious straight drives
All told, Banks hit five fours, including two pugnacious straight drives off fast bowler of Jerome Taylor. He also smashed Taylor straight for his lone six with which he brought up his half century off 95 deliveries.
After Morton drove medium pacer Danza Hyatt into Chris Gayle's lap at mid off, the right-handed Steve Liburd (25) then added a further 53 with Banks, but the innings crumbled thereafter.
Liburd fell at 140 for six in the 39th over and the last five wickets tumbled for a mere 17 runs in the space of five overs. The Leewards were blighted by three run outs and West Indies paceman Taylor returned for a second spell to dent the lower order, finishing with three for 34 after partnering Daren Powell (1-35) to undermine the top order early on.
Gayle, the newly-appointed Jamaica captain and West Indies opener, struck seven imperious boundaries as he seemed intent on finishing the run chase inside 30 overs. He was cut down, however, after he had blasted 33 from 31 balls when a miscued pull off offspinner Chaka Hodge ended up in Lionel Baker's lap at mid on.
His opening partner Parchment and number three batsman, Findlay then moved the score along without much alarm with a 66-run, second wicket partnership before Parchment, who also provided the small gathering of spectators with some exquisite strokeplay, went after hitting four boundaries and facing 70 deliveries.
The left-handed Findlay's innings was characterised by a hustling attitude where he aimed to score off of every delivery and succeeded for the most part, his top score of 41 coming off 53 deliveries and included five fours and a solitary six. He benefitted from a dropped chance when four with the score on 58 for one when Gavin Tonge spilled a skier off the bowling of Curtis Roberts.
Banks got into the act when he had Parchment caught by Javia Liburd and Findlay caught by Shane Jeffers in successive overs, as Jamaica slipped to 121 for three in the 28th over.
The much talked about Australian batsman Brendon Nash, who had earlier delivered 10 miserly overs of left-arm medium pace for 26 runs, was not as impressive with the bat.
The left-hander laboured over 17 balls for six runs before nibbling pacer Baker to wicketkeeper Joel Simmonds, with the score on 133.
Danza Hyatt then stroked 22 from 36 balls and Tamar Lambert, 21 from 28 balls in an unbroken stand of 36 as Jamaica pocketed full points.
SCOREBOARD
Leeward Islands innings
| S. Jeffers b Powell | 0 |
| J. Liburd run out | 13 |
| R. Morton c Gayle b Hyatt | 44 |
| T. Willett b Taylor | 0 |
| O. Banks st Baugh b Sinclair | 62 |
| S. Liburd c Hyatt b Miller | 25 |
| C. Hodge b Taylor | 1 |
| L. Baker run out | 0 |
| J. Simmonds run out | 0 |
| G. Tonge not out | 2 |
| C. Roberts b Taylor | 1 |
| Extras (w15, lb4) | 19 |
TOTAL: (all out - 44.3 overs) 167 Fall: 1-8, 2-34, 3-35, 4-87, 5-140, 6-155, 7-155, 8-156, 9-162, 10-167. Bowling: Powell 9-1-35-1 (w7), Taylor 7.3-1-34-3 (w3), Nash 10-1-26-0 (w3), Hyatt 9-2-32-1 (w1), Miller 5-0-24-1 (w1), Sinclair 4-0-12-1. Jamaica innings B. Parchment c J Liburd b Banks | 40 |
| C. Gayle c Baker b Hodge | 33 |
| S. Findlay c Jeffers b Banks | 41 |
| B. Nash c Simmonds b Baker | 6 |
| D. Hyatt not out | 22 |
| T. Lambert not out | 21 |
| Extras (w1, nb2, lb3) | 06 |
TOTAL: (for four wkts - 39.5 overs) 169 Fall: 1-52, 2-118, 3-121, 4-133. Bowling: Baker 8-2-22-1(nb1), Tonge 4-0-25-0, Roberts 6-0-30-0 (nb1), Hodge 10-0-41-1 (w1), Banks 9.5-1-46-2, Willett 2-1-2-0.
Result: Jamaica won by six wickets. Points: Jamaica 5, Leewards 0. Man of the Match: Omari Banks.
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