ST CATHERINE, Jamaica (CMC) – Overlooked by West Indies selectors for the upcoming World Twenty20 Championship later this month, all-rounder David Bernard Jr responded brilliantly with a superb century against touring Ireland yesterday.
The right-hander struck 102 to propel Jamaica to 339 all out on the opening day of their three-day match against the Irish at Chedwin Park.
Bernard, who played the last of his three Tests and 16 One-Day Internationals against Zimbabwe last month, was surprisingly omitted from the Windies 15-man squad for the April 30 to May 16 tournament in the Caribbean.
Yesterday, however, he shone against a full-strength Irish squad who are using the April 3-17 Jamaica Cricket Festival as preparation for the T20 Championship.
Coming to the crease with Jamaica on 198 for four, Bernard stuck 10 fours and one six from 165 deliveries to ignite a middle and lower order revival.
In an impressive display, he shared in two important partnerships – 139 for the fifth wicket with captain Tamar Lambert and 45 for the seventh wicket with tail-ender Andre Russell.
Lambert scored 68 from 123 deliveries in just over two-and-a-half hours at the crease, striking five fours and two sixes while Russell contributed 26 off just 15 deliveries, hitting four fours and one six in his cameo.
Earlier, Danza Hyatt slammed 55 with six fours and two sixes, and Brenton Parchment carved out 31 as they put on 56 for the first wicket after Jamaica won the toss and chose to bat in good conditions.
Medium pacer Peter Connell was the chief wicket-taker with four for 76 while teenaged off-spinner Paul Sterling picked up two for 45.
The festival, which also involves West Indies and Canada, will feature action in two One-Day Internationals, six Twenty20 matches and one 50-over match.