GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – Teswayne Creary and John Campbell indulged themselves, as Jamaica’s batsmen dug in against Trinidad & Tobago in the WICB Regional Under-19 Championship yesterday. Creary led the way with an unbeaten 73 and Campbell hit 55, as the Jamaicans, sent in to bat, reached 278 for six in their first innings at the close on the opening day of their first round match at Everest.
Aldaine Thomas supported them with 39, Bryan Gayle made 33, and their captain Donovan Nelson was not out on 26, as Jamaica made hay after play started three hours later than scheduled due to the late arrival of T&T’s luggage, including their playing kit.
Creary, the brother of former West Indies Under-19 captain Andre Creary, has so far faced 180 balls and hit four boundaries.
A compact right-hander and good timer of the ball, he was patient and watchful at the start of his innings before blossoming with some well-timed off-side strokes.
The highlight of the Jamaica innings so far has been Creary’s sixth-wicket stand of 98 with Thomas.
The pair came together with the side on 141 for five and played well in their partnership.
Thomas batted resolutely before he fell to left-arm spinner Derone Davis, who ended the day with four wickets for 64 runs off 26 overs.
Creary also featured in another good partnership of 43 with Bryan Gayle, who made 33 before he was stumped off left-arm spinner Javon Ali.
Earlier in the day, opener Campbell gave the innings a blazing start with 55 at better than a run a ball.
The left-hander is in his fourth year at this level, and recently returned from the West Indies Under-19 tour of the United States, where he made three centuries.
He showed his class and reached his half-century off just 32 balls with eight fours and two big sixes before he fell to the clever Davis.
Campbell had earlier added 73 for the first wicket with Oshane Walters, who made 12.