KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica Franchise required just half-hour on the final morning here yesterday to trounce Leeward Islands Hurricanes by four wickets and log their third victory of the new WICB Professional Cricket League.
Resuming on 160 for four needing a mere 35 runs for victory, the hosts lost both overnight batsmen before reaching their target off the first ball of the sixth over of the day, sent down by part-time bowler Devon Thomas.
Nikita Miller, on five not out, and wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jr, unbeaten on one, were at the crease when victory was achieved.
Opener John Campbell added just five runs to his overnight 63 and extended his fifth wicket stand with David Bernard Jr to 89, before becoming the first of two wickets for leg-spinner Colin Hamer, who finished with two for 30. At 185 for five, Jamaica were never in danger but Bernard, who began the day on 33, completed his 27th first class half-century – exactly 50 – before also perishing with five runs required for victory.
He faced 97 balls, in 126 minutes and counted four fours.
The defeat was the fourth on the trot for the luckless Hurricanes who collected just three points from their outing while Jamaica grabbed 16, to move to 50 points overall.
Leewards will remain rooted to the bottom of the standings on ten points, regardless of the outcome of the remaining matches.
Scoreboard
LEEWARDS 1st Innings 103
JAMAICA 1st innings 222
LEEWARDS 2nd Innings 313
JAMAICA FRANCHISE 2nd Innings (target: 195)
(overnight 160 for four)
S Thomas lbw b Louis 9
JD Campbell c Richardson b Hamer 68
H Miller c wkp Hamilton b Tonge 3
A McCarthy c Liburd b Tonge 1
*T Lambert c Richards b Peters 45
D Bernard Jr c Louis b Hamer 50
+C Baugh Jr not out 1
N Miller not out 5
Extras (b4, lb1, w2, nb6) 13
TOTAL (6 wkts, 55.1 overs) 195
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-12, 3-23, 4-95, 5-184, 6-190.
Bowling: Tonge 11-4-37-2, Louis 9-0-24-1, Peters 10-0-43-1, Cornwall 13-1-43-0, Liburd 1-0-8-0, Hamer 9-1-30-2, Thomas 2.1-1-5-0.
Result: Jamaica won by four wickets.
Points: Jamaica 16, Leewards 3.
Toss: Jamaica.
Umpires: C Taylor, D Ramdhanie.
