BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – A defiant 50-run, seventh wicket stand between Delbert Gayle and Bryan Gayle, earned Jamaica a draw after they seemed headed for certain defeat yesterday, the last day of their clash with Windward Islands.
Trailing by 76 runs on first innings after the Windwards were dismissed for 192 in their final round match in the Regional Under-19 three-day Championship, Jamaica found themselves tottering on 41 for six before the unrelated Gayles arrived at the crease to save the day.
Delbert top-scored with 55, made off 152 balls in 126 minutes with four fours while Bryan stroked two fours off 187 balls in compiling 25.
The effort was good enough to carry the defending champions to 122 all out when play was called off at the Weymouth Sports Complex.
Off-spinner Kenneth Dember bowled brilliantly to take eight for 44 and finish with outstanding match figures of 14 for 89.
Left-arm fast bowler Preston McSween started the slide when he had captain Oshane Walters caught and bowled for 11 and Dember claimed Kerry Holness via the same route for 15, as Jamaica slipped to 25 for two.
Odaine McCatty followed to a catch by Jerlani Robinson at slip for 13 off Dember before the off-spinner deceived and bowled Tristan Coleman at 35 for four.
Dember struck again when he had Tezwayne Creary taken at second slip by Taryck Gabriel for three before left-arm spinner Larry Edward bowled Brandon King, to leave Jamaica in tatters.
Earlier, the Windwards were boosted by Gabriel’s 37 and Roland Cato’s 33, after they resumed the day on 117 for three.
Off-spinner Walters finished with four 47 while fellow slow bowlers Tezwayne Creary (2-29) and Delbert Gayle (2-60) snared two wickets apiece.
Windward Islands finished the tournament fourth on 36 points with Jamaica fifth on 29 points.