KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Veteran left-hander Wavell Hinds stroked a superb, unbeaten century to rescue leaders Jamaica and put them in control against Trinidad and Tobago on the opening day of their sixth round, Regional First Class Championship match here yesterday.
The left-handed Hinds, who has played 45 Tests and 119 One-Day Internationals for West Indies, banged 131 as Jamaica finished on 297 for five at Sabina Park.
He was involved in a stand of 121 for the sixth wicket with all-rounder Dave Bernard Jr who was unbeaten on 55 at the close.
The scri pt could have read differently after T&T reduced Jamaica to 60 for four, after the hosts won the toss and opted to bat first.
Pacer Rayad Emrit bowled Simon Jackson without scoring in the fourth over of the morning with the score on one and new ball partner Shannon Gabriel knocked over Danza Hyatt for seven, to leave Jamaica on 23 for two in the ninth over.
The in-form Marlon Samuels looked dangerous in 25 from 36 balls with five fours before edging a drive at off-spinner Sherwin Ganga at 59 for three and with one run added, captain Tamar Lambert (1) gave Imran Khan a catch at gully off medium pacer Lendl Simmons.
At 60 for four, T&T were in charge but Test left-hander Brendan Nash and Hinds came together in a 116-run, fifth wicket stand to steer Jamaica out of trouble.
Nash stroked 66 with seven fours off 136 balls in 175 minutes at the crease while Hinds cracked 11 fours and seven sixes in an innings that has spanned 201 balls and 143 minutes.
When Nash was lbw, pushing forward tentatively at off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth, Hinds found an ally in Bernard to further frustrate the Trinidadians.
