KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Donovan Pagon’s fourth first class century and a five-wicket haul from leg-spinner Odean Brown left Leeward Islands needing a miracle to avoid defeat in their third round clash of the Regional Four-Day Championship here yesterday.
The right-handed Pagon stroked a fine 155 to steer Jamaica to an imposing 404 for eight declared and Brown then snatched five wickets for just six runs in a lethal nine-over spell as the Leewards tumbled for a paltry 104 on the second day at Sabina Park.
Leewards, rock bottom after losses in their two matches in the tournament, head into Saturday’s third day trailing by 300 runs and facing the prospect of another embarrassing defeat.
Resuming the day at 220 for three with Pagon undefeated on 106, Jamaica marched on in the face of listless Leewards bowling to take control of the encounter.
Captain Tamar Lambert, unbeaten on 28 overnight, pushed on to 51 and extended his fourth wicket partnership with Pagon to 120, to further frustrate the Leewards.
He had just reached his half-century when he was trapped lbw to seamer Tonito Willett (2-73), after facing 159 balls and striking five fours.
The 29-year-old Pagon, who played two Tests for West Indies seven years ago, then put on another 51 for the fifth wicket with David Bernard Jr before he gave left-arm spinner Jason Campbell a return catch.
Pagon faced 329 balls and cracked 14 fours and four sixes.
Bernard then took centre stage for Jamaica, unleashing an entertaining 70 from 130 balls with six fours and three sixes.
He put on 40 for the sixth wicket with Carlton Baugh who got 26 from 45 balls before he was brilliantly taken on the mid-wicket boundary by Nelson Bolan off off-spinner Justin Athanaze (3-102), to signal the declaration.
The Leewards, dismissed for 39 and 113 in the last round against Combined Campuses and Colleges, fared no better this time around.
Devon Thomas top scored with 38 from 62 balls and Montcin Hodge got 33 but no other batsman got past 10.
Javier Liburd was bowled by left-arm seamer Sheldon Cotterell without scoring with just one run on the board and Test opener Kieran Powell followed for 10, with the score on 28.
Captain Gavin Williams faced two balls before he was prised out by pacer Andrew Richardson (2-23) at 28 for three but Thomas and Hodge mounted a rescue effort with a 52-run fourth wicket stand.
Thomas stroked five fours and a six and Hodge reeled off seven boundaries but once they were parted, the last seven wickets fell for 24 runs as Brown and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller (2-31) weaved their magic.
