Corbin half-century keeps CCC afloat against Jamaica

SPANISH TOWN, Jamaica, CMC – An attacking half-century from Kyle Corbin helped Combined Campuses and Colleges survive a slump and keep leaders Jamaica at bay on the shortened second day of their fifth round Regional First Class Championship match here yesterday.

The 20-year-old right-hander cracked a fluent 76 to help the CCC to 253 for seven at the close at Chedwin Park, on a day when only five hours play was possible because of a damp outfield.

Resuming at 90 without loss when play finally started at 1 pm, the CCC lost quick wickets to plunge to 119 for three, thanks to an incisive spell from leg-spinner Odean Brown (3-64).

Captain Omar Phillips, unbeaten on 53 overnight, added just five before playing over a well pitched delivery from fast bowler Andrew Richardson (3-48) and being bowled.

Opener partner Romel Currency followed soon after, bowled by Brown by one that kept low after managing to add only seven to his overnight 27 at 119 for two.

With no addition to the score, 19-year-old Raymon Reifer pushed the fourth ball he received to mid off where Jason Dawes took a simple catch of Brown.

However, Corbin and Shacoya Thomas came together to hold up Jamaica’s charge, posting a positive 87 for the fourth wicket.

Corbin smashed seven fours and three sixes off just 98 balls while Thomas played the anchor role, gathering 34 from 117 balls in 2-1/2 hours at the crease.

When Thomas was lbw to left-arm spinner Brendan Nash in his first over, the CCC innings slumped again as they lost four wickets for 27 runs.

Veteran Floyd Reifer fell to a catch at short mid-wicket off Brown at 233 and without a run added, Corbin and Carlos Brathwaite (0) fell in the space of three balls.