KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Guyana conceded valuable first-innings points despite a valiant effort from veteran batsman Shiv Chanderpaul as Jamaica emerged with the advantage after a keenly contested second day of the Regional Four-Day semi-final here yesterday. Resuming from their overnight 14 for one, Guyana were undermined for 126 to concede a lead of 70 runs on first innings at Sabina Park.
Jamaica then reached 99 for three in their second innings, with former West Indies batsman Xavier Marshall stroking a fluent 54, to garner an overall lead of 169 runs.
Guyana’s pursuit of first-innings points was driven by Chanderpaul who held the innings together with an unbeaten 47 as wickets clattered around him.
Overall, the West Indies left-hander faced 132 balls and struck five fours but was the only batsman to pass 20 as left-arm spinner Nikita Miller (3-16), and seamers David Bernard (3-35) and Andrew Richardson (2-18) wore down Guyana’s batsmen.
Jamaica did not have to wait long for success as Chanderpaul Hemraj was caught at slip by Brenton Parchment off Richardson without adding to his overnight three.
In the very next over, Guyana lost Leon Johnson for 12 to a catch at square leg by Odean Brown off Bernard at 21 for three.
Guyana managed to stem the flow of wickets with two small partnerships. Assad Fudadin (14) and Narsingh Deonarine (12) added 20 for the fourth wicket before Chanderpaul and Fudadin put on 25 for the fifth wicket.
Deonarine, dropped twice in successive deliveries off Richardson at 36 for three, was eventually caught at the wicket off Bernard while Fudadin was lbw to left-arm quick Sheldon Cotterell at 66 for five.
Wickets continued to fall around Chanderpaul as Jamaica increased their stranglehold around the lower order.
Marshall, who has been in and out the Jamaica team in recent seasons, then took centre stage with an attractive innings.
He struck six fours and a six and raced to his half-century off just 79 balls in 100 minutes at the crease.