INNSWOOD, Jamaica, CMC – Nikita Miller tore though the Windward Islands batting to hand defending champions Jamaica the upper hand in the WICB Regional four-day, first-class yesterday.

The left-arm spinner collected seven wickets for 28 runs from 26.1 overs, as the Windwards – sent in to bat – were dismissed for 181 in their first innings on the opening day of their first round match at Chedwin Park.

The Windwards however, hit back in the closing stages, when they removed the two Jamaican openers to leave the home team 36 for two at the close.

Miller’s steady bowling overshadowed an undefeated 82 from Rawl Lewis, whose batting held things together while his colleagues struggled against the Jamaica attack.

Lewis struck 11 fours and two sixes from 170 balls in a little over three hours (189), but Miller was thrust into the spotlight.

Sent in to bat on a grassless pitch and in overcast conditions, Windwards openers Devon Smith and debutant Tyrone Theophile batted with authority against Jamaica’s opening bowlers Andrew Richardson and Dave Bernard Jr to give their side an opening stand of 50.

But once Miller was introduced, things started to fall apart for the Windwards.

He turned Jamaica’s fortunes around with the scalps of both openers, Andre Fletcher for a first-ball duck, and Windwards’ captain Darren Sammy for five, as the Windwards reached 68 for four at lunch.

Leg-spinner Odean Brown removed Keddy Lesporis for 10 and Liam Sebastien for 12, until Miller, switching bowling ends after the break, got rid of Lindon James for two, as well as Kenroy Peters and Nelon Pascal – both without scoring – after tea.

Jamaica then suffered a shaky start, when Pascal bowled Brenton Parchmen for eight with a well-directed yorker, and Kenroy Peters bowled Xavier Marshall for two, when the batsman dragged a delivery into his stumps.

Jamaica were 10 for two, but their captain Tamar Lambert joined Donovan Pagan, and piloted them safely to the close.