KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Akeem Dewar, Romeo Dunka and Kirk Harris struck half-centuries for Jamaica to put Guyana on the ropes on the second day of their TCL Group West Indies three-day Cup match at Sabina Park yesterday.
Dewar hit an unbeaten 70, Dunka got 59 while Harris scored 53, as Jamaica, responding to Guyana’s meagre 160 all out, racked up 292 for seven declared, to grab a 123-run first innings lead.
Batting against, Guyana were struggling at 98 for four, still requiring a further 34 runs to make Jamaica bat again.
Jamaica resumed on their overnight 67 for four and lost skipper Paul Palmer 23 minutes into the day’s play when he was run out for 29 by the length of the pitch to leave the hosts on 85 for five.
Jermaine Blackwood was then lbw to off-spinner Trevon Griffith for 31 at 112 for six before Dewar and wicketkeeper/batsman Harris joined forces in a powerful 83-run, seventh-wicket partnership to wrest back the advantage for their side.
Harris clobbered left-arm spinner Totaram Bishun for six over long-off to reach his fifty but hit the next ball to long-on to end his entertaining 53 which was decorated with four fours and two sixes and came from 84 balls in 74 minutes.
Dunka and Dewar then dashed Guyana’s hopes of making inroads as they posted a further 97 for the eighth wicket and were still together when the declaration came at tea.
Dewar hit two fours from 141 balls while Dunka struck two fours and three sixes in his 95-ball innings to give Jamaica a sizable lead.
Bishun was the best of the nine Guyana bowlers used, finishing with four for 60.
Guyana then quickly slumped to 14 for three before opener Griffith (48) and Jonathan Foo (36 not out) rescued the innings with a 78-run, fourth wicket stand.
Griffith gifted his wicket just before the close when he pulled a short ball from leg-spinner Dewar to mid-on, after striking five fours and two sixes off 37 balls.
