J/ca takes charge after T/dad collapses

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Jamaica tightened their grip on their Regional Four-Day Championship match against Trinidad and Tobago here yesterday, after their speedsters produced a lethal burst to rock the hosts on a truncated second day’s play at Queen’s Park Oval.

Carlton Baugh

After Jamaica stretched their overnight 242 for nine to 290 all out, T&T found themselves in strife early and finished the day at Queen’s Park Oval on 89 for five, still 201 runs adrift of their target.

Fast bowler Andrew Richardson (2-19) and left-arm seamer Sheldon Cotterell (2-30) produced devastating spells to rock T&T, who were tottering on 52 for five at one stage before Aneil Kanhai (20 not out) and Kevon Cooper (17 not out) staged an unbroken 37-run, sixth wicket stand to see their side to the safety of the close.

Earlier, West Indies wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh carried on from his overnight 101, to finish on 140 before being last out.

All told, Baugh batted 214 minutes, faced 215 balls and struck 14 fours and two sixes.

His last wicket stand with Sheldon Cotterell was worth 76, with the tail-ender ending unbeaten on 14, in 88 minutes at the crease from 40 balls.

Left-arm spinner Kavesh Kantasingh finished with figures of six for 94 while fast bowler Shannon Gabriel took two for 54.

T&T endured a nightmare start, losing Justin Guillen in the first over from Richardson without a run on the board, and debutant Marlon Barclay followed him soon afterward for six, edging Richardson behind.

Jason Mohammed (22) and Khan (14) then battled in a 38-run third wicket partnership before a double strike reduced T&T to 49 for four.

Mohammed nibbled at a wide ball from Cotterell and feathered a catch to Baugh while Khan played an injudicious stroke at left-arm spinner Nikita Miller to fall after an hour-and-a-half at the crease.

Sherwin Ganga then edged Cotterell to first slip but Kanhai and Cooper displayed good temperament in repairing the innings.

Play got underway at 1:45 pm after rain ruled out any play in the first session.