FRIENDSHIP, Barbados, CMC – Jamaica were left thoroughly frustrated after rain forced a premature end to the second day of their fourth round match in the Regional Under-19 Championship match, with Leeward Islands against the ropes here yesterday.
The defending champions had the Leewards Islands in dire straits on 79 for seven, when the bad weather forced a premature end, 90 minutes before the re-scheduled close of 6 pm at Yorkshire Sports club.
On Sunday’s final day, the Leewards still require another 143 runs to avoid the follow-on, after Jamaica had earlier declared on a huge 390 for eight – the highest score of the tournament.
Off-spinner Oshane Walters tore the heart out of Leewards’ batting in the afternoon session with four wickets as they limped to 59 for six at tea.
He had his opposite number Akeem Saunders caught for 12 and trapped Duane Webb leg before for an attacking 26 which included five fours.
Walters further snatched two wickets in the final over to the break, to finish with four for 46 so far.
Deno Barker was hauled in at slip by Tristan Coleman and two balls later Dymon Parris was caught behind without scoring.
Colin Archibald and Ashawn Hodge staged a mini recovery adding 22 for the seventh-wicket before Archibald was caught by wicketkeeper Aldaine Thomas for 15 off off-spinner Delbert Gayle (2-5).
Earlier, Jamaica pushed on from their overnight 324 for five after rain delayed the start by an hour.
The declaration came during the luncheon interval.
Bryan Gayle, who resumed on 112 and Aldaine Thomas, 50 carried their exciting partnership to 160 before Thomas was taken at deep cover off Archibald (3-76).
In his knock of 72, he hit six fours and two sixes off 79 deliveries.
Gayle made a maiden career-best 134, before he edged an attempted drive to Saunders at first slip off fast-bowler Alzarri Joseph (2-72).
He faced 169 deliveries, striking nine fours and half-dozen sixes in his 233 minutes stay.
Joseph also had at the unrelated Delbert Gayle caught at deep cover without scoring.
