KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica produced a solid batting effort to make significant inroads into England Lions’ total, on the second day of their final round Regional First Class Championship yesterday.
Chasing 358, the Jamaicans finished the day on 259 for four, only 99 runs adrift of first innings lead at Sabina Park.
Opener Simon Jackson stroked 60, his partner Danza Hyatt got 59, the in-form Marlon Samuels scored 58 while Test left-hander Brendan Nash finished the day unbeaten 56. Leg-spinner Danny Briggs has so far taken two for 77.
Jackson and Hyatt gave the Jamaicans a sound start, as they added 126 for the first wicket before both fell within 11 balls of each other. Hyatt hammered five fours and three sixes off 101 balls before he was bowled by seamer Chris Woakes and the left-handed Jackson counted eight fours off 92 balls before skying Briggs to Woakes at mid-on.
Samuels and Nash then stopped the slide, mounting a partnership that yielded 93 for the third wicket.
The right-handed Samuels, who has already scored over 500 runs for the tournament, hit eight fours and a six off 127 balls but fell to a catch in the deep off Briggs when seemingly set for another big score. Four balls later, captain Tamar Lambert departed for eight to a catch at the wicket but Nash and Wavell Hinds (five not out) saw Jamaica to the close without further loss. Earlier, Woakes extended his unbeaten 104 to 115, as the Lions added 18 to their overnight 340 for nine.
