KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Wicketkeeper/batsman Aldaine Thomas punished England Lions with an attractive hundred, as a Jamaica XI provided stout resistance on the penultimate day of their the three-day tour game here yesterday.
Resuming in trouble on 36 for four in their first innings, the hosts fought their way to 236 all out, just 27 runs behind Lions’ 263 on Monday’s opening day at Sabina Park.
The 23-year-old Thomas was at the heart of the Jamaica XI’s enterprise, hitting 10 fours and two sixes in an innings spanning just over five hours and requiring 185 deliveries.
Gordon Bryan, batting at number 10, was the only other player to pass 20 as he chipped in with a handy 29 which included six fours.
Seamers Jamie Porter (3-24) and Toby Roland-Jones (3-37) were Lions’ best bowlers with three wickets apiece. In their second turn at the crease, Lions were 80 for three, heading into Wednesday’s final day.
Earlier, Thomas found a partner in captain Paul Palmer (16) to add 38 for the fifth wicket an deny Lions an early success.
When Palmer was bowled by left-arm seamer George Garton, the hosts lost three wickets for 18 runs, to slide to 92 for seven.
Thomas, though, ensured the tail wagged, posting 40 for the eighth wicket with Damion Jacobs (13) before partnering with Bryan to frustrate the English in a ninth wicket stand of 80.
