GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – John Campbell slammed his first hundred of the tournament, completely dominating Windward Islands’ bowlers, as Jamaica took a huge step towards claiming the WICB Regional Under-19 Championship yesterday. The 18-year-old left-hander closed on 145 not out, as the Jamaicans reached 215 for two, after they bundled out the Windwards for a first-innings total of just 99 shortly after lunch on the opening day of the fifth round match at the Demerara Cricket Club.
It was a superb display of attacking strokeplay from Campbell, as he single-handedly took the game away from the Windwards. So far, he has struck 11 fours and nine sixes from 183 balls in 3½ hours of batting.
He reached his hundred with a massive straight hit off left-arm spinner Larry Edward, which disappeared onto Lance Gibbs Street. The landmark came from 132 balls with 10 fours and four sixes.
Following that he went on the rampage – with the next 40 runs coming off just 20 balls with four more sixes, all them comfortably clearing the leg-side boundaries.
The Windwards have only themselves to blame for their predicament.
When Campbell was 14, and Jamaica 22 without loss, he flashed at a wide ball from Ray Jordan, but Terron Simon muffed the low chance at second slip.
Campbell has received excellent support. He has added an unbroken 95 for the third wicket with right-hander Brian Gayle, who has played watchfully for 18 not out.
Campbell also shared in two other productive stands – 64 for the first wicket with Oshane Walters, and 56 for the second wicket with Ramon Senior.
Walters made 17 and Senior 20 – both fell to Edward, who again bowled well to take two for 50 off 18 overs.
Earlier in the day, the Windwards won the toss and batted, but could not withstand the Jamaica onslaught.
Marquino Mindley, the livewire 16-year-old fast-medium bowler, was superb with the new ball and had two for 10.
He ripped out opener Emmanuel Peter’s off stump as he offered no stroke to a ball which cut back, and two overs later he shattered the stumps of Windwards captain and West Indies Under-19 batsman Kavem Hodge with one that shaped away.
Left-arm spinner Fabien Allen ripped out the timid middle order with four for 22, and skipper Donovan Nelson had two for 19 with his leg-spin.
Sunil Ambris led the way for Windwards with 24.
Jamaica, on 31 points, started the match as favourites to claim their second title in three years.