Delicate balance at Sabina Park

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

It is still anybody's game in the battle for first innings honours heading into today's third day of the West Indies Cricket Board Four-day tournament semi-final tie between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago at Sabina Park.

The contest which was interrupted by rain for most yesterday's evening session saw Trinidad closing at 162 for six, 84 runs behind what could prove to be Jamaica's crucial first innings score of 246.

The Trinidadians who began the day on 17 for one, had opener Lendl Simmons to thank for the competitive showing thus far.

Simmons led the way for the twin island republic with 79 (10 fours and six) before he was adjudged leg before wicket by the in-form Nikita Miller who ended as Jamaica's best bowler.

Miller bagged three for 39 while his leg-spin partner Odean Brown, and fast bowler Andrew Richardson finished with a wicket each.

Play is scheduled to resume today at 9:30 a.m.

"The game is evenly poised at the moment, and come tomorrow the aim is to get the final four wickets quickly," said Jamaica captain Tamar Lambert.

work hard

"But as you can see it won't be as easy, as Trinidad do not plan to roll over and die and as such we will have to work hard, as based on the weather first innings could decide the match."

Resuming yesterday 230 runs behind, Trinidad controlled the morning session with Simmons and Carriah putting on 64 for the second wicket before the latter was caught at slip by Brenton Parchment off the bowling of Odean Brown.

With only 18 runs added Jamaica claimed two vital wickets through Richardson and Miller to peg Trinidad back at 91 for four.

Simmons, however, kept going and in captain Denesh Ramdin, who made eight, found a somewhat able partner.

Ramdin, however, fell to Miller with the score on 118 after the partnership had yielded 27.

Debutante Akeal Hosein, a recent West Indies Under-19 representative, then partnered Simmons, and together they put on another 27 for the sixth wicket before Simmons fell to Miller.

Hosein, who looked assured and sure-footed, will resume today on 24 with all-rounder Imran Khan, who is on six.

"Jamaica bowled well and hopefully the two batsmen there and others in the pavilion can help get the job done," said Simmons.