DISCOVERY BAY, Jamaica (CMC) – Opening batsman Danza Hyatt scored a century and fast bowler Andre Russell took five wickets to carry Jamaica to an easy six-wicket win over Ireland in their 50-over match of the Jamaica Cricket Association Festival at Kaiser Oval on Tuesday. Hyatt scored 102 as Jamaica, set a target of 228 for victory, reached 230 for four with 16 balls remaining.
The right-hander was aggressive from the outset and even though he lost his opening partner Brenton Parchment for 10 with the score on 27, he never eased up as he belted 13 fours and a six off 11 deliveries.
Hyatt shared a crucial fourth wicket stand of 87 with all-rounder David Bernard Jr who stroked an unbeaten 52 with three fours.
Rookie Kemar Marshall (15) joined Hyatt after Parchment’s fall but after playing a couple of beautiful strokes, drove back to fast bowler Nigel Jones at 52 for two.
Captain Tamar Lambert was run-out for 19 at 95 for three to provide the platform for the stand between Hyatt and Bernard.
When Hyatt eventually fell to pacer Kevin O’Brien with victory in sight, Bernard and Carlton Baugh who hit 24 not out guided Jamaica to their target without further loss.
Earlier, Ireland got a top score of 56 from Gary Wilson but their batsmen failed to carry on after getting starts, as Russell grabbed five for 40.
The tourists were in early trouble with the loss of Paul Stirling, who was bowled by Russell without scoring at seven for one and they slumped to 29 for two when Andre Botha edged to Parchment at slip for eight off Russell.
Wilson joined captain William Porterfield and the two played some beautiful strokes in putting together 71 for the third wicket.
When left-arm pacer Krishmar Santokie accounted for Porterfield for 43, Wilson added a further 67 for the fourth wicket with O’Brien (25) before Russell returned to spark a collapse which saw four wickets tumble for 24 runs.
Off-spinner Bevon Brown finished with two for 34 while Lambert claimed two for 10 with his off-breaks, to tidy up the tail.