GROS-ISLET, St Lucia (CMC) – Jermaine Blackwood dug reigning champions Jamaica out of a deep hole with the third hundred of the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Challenge against leaders Guyana yesterday.
Blackwood was undefeated on an even 100, and left-hander Donovan Nelson was not out on 46, as Jamaica, sent in to bat, reached 256 for six in their first innings at the close on the first day of their second round match at the Gros-Islet Playing Field. Blackwood followed-up a swashbuckling, face-saving 90 against Trinidad and Tobago in the first round, with a more circumspect innings.
He struck seven fours and one six from 166 balls in a shade over four hours, and featured in an unbroken, seventh-wicket stand of 135 with Nelson, after Jamaica slumped to 121 for six after lunch.
Anthony Adams has been the most successful Guyana bowler with three wickets for 77 runs from 26 overs, upstaging Amir Khan, an 11-wicket hero from the first match against Leeward Islands.
Jamaica started confidently with openers John Campbell and Peat Salmon putting on 58 for the first wicket.
But Adams had Campbell caught behind for 34, and bowled opposing captain Paul Palmer for one, before Joemal La Fleur bowled Kemar Marshall for nine, as the Jamaicans wobbled to 72 for three at lunch.
After the interval, the Jamaicans ran into further trouble on 76 for four, when Salmon was caught off Adams for 26.
Blackwood joined Vaneil Bromfield, and they steadied the innings with a stand of 45 before two wickets in quick succession left the Jamaicans rocking again.
Bromfield was run-out for 19, and Brian Gayle was adjudged lbw to Keon Joseph for a duck to bring Nelson to the crease.
He and Blackwood batted fluently to carry the Jamaicans to 156 for six at tea, and added another 100 after the break to revive their side’s innings.
Guyana top the standings with 12 points, and Jamaica are fourth with Windward Islands on three points.
The Guyanese crushed Leewards by eight wickets in the opening round, when the Jamaicans drew with Trinidad & Tobago and conceded first innings points.