KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Title-chasing Jamaica used a splendid unbeaten hundred from Courtney Allen and Patrick Harty’s six-wicket haul to take full control against defending champions Barbados in their final round TCL Group West Indies Three-day Cup Under-19 match yesterday.
At the close of day two, Barbados were a whopping 247 runs behind with just three first innings wickets in hand as they closed on 189 for seven at Kensington Park.
The second-positioned Jamaicans are pressing for an outright win to give themselves a chance at the title pending the result of the Elletson Road game where leaders Trinidad and Tobago are under pressure against Guyana.
In a match they have dominated form the start, Jamaica, continuing from their overnight score of 301 for two, eventually declared at 436 for six with Allen smashing a fine top score of 121 not out.
He resumed from his overnight score of 66 and batted resolutely throughout the morning session, eventually finishing with eight fours and three sixes to his credit.
He faced 191 balls and his runs were compiled in 266 minutes.
Jermaine Blackwood, batting at No.6 got 35.
The Barbadian bowlers toiled long and hard and only fast bowler Jason Holder, with two for 88 off 24 overs, and leading wicket taker in the tournament so far left arm spinner Jomel Warrican, two for 116 off 30 overs, got some reward for their efforts.
When Barbados started their innings, they had an early setback losing prolific scorer Kraigg Brathwaite for 11 with just 27 runs on the board.
Brathwaite’s opening partner Anthony Alleyne followed soon after for 34 with the score on 52 as left-arm spinner Harty, who got turn and bounce from the pitch, ripped through the Barbados middle-order.
Roston Chase quickly followed for 19 before Harty had dislodged Raymond Reifer for a “duck” and leg-spinner Akeem Dewar accounted for Mario Rampersad (23) and left Barbados reeling at 101 for five.
A sixth-wicket partnership between Holder, who was unbeaten on 51 at the close and the left-hander Kyle Mayers, stemmed the rapid slide before Harty was re-introduced and had Mayers bowled for 28.
Shane Dowrich, who has shown good form throughout the tournament, quickly followed leg before wicket to Harty without scoring.
But Holder found a useful partner in all-rounder Marques Clarke, and the two saw Barbados to the close without further loss.
Holder has so far batted for 124 minutes and faced 98 balls, belting five fours and one six.
Harty has five for 66 off 26 probing overs.