(WICB) Kingston, Jamaica – Andre Russell and Jamie Merchant shared eight wickets evenly as Jamaica seized control on the opening day of the Regional 4-Day season at Sabina Park.
The Jamaicans won the toss and elected to field and Guyana lost their first wicket with one run on the board. It would be the start of a miserable first innings for the visitors as they were skittled out for 117 runs in just over 50 overs.
Christopher Barnwell played an uncharacteristically patient innings, top scoring for Guyana with 34 runs from 80 balls. Assad Fudadin was also patient for his 21 runs from 52 deliveries.
However, Merchant and Russell tore through the Guyanese batting order. Merchant claimed 4-29 while Russell took 4-33. It was the latter’s fourth four-for in First Class cricket. However, it was a more special day for Merchant, playing in only his second First Class match.
Jamaica then proceeded to nail home their advantage in the remaining 30 overs of the day. The opening pair of Horace Miller and John Campbell put on 71 runs for the first wicket.
Miller hit 46 runs from 65 balls. His knock included eight boundaries before he was caught behind off Veerasammy Permaul. That was as good as the day got for Guyana, who lost both Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul to injury before the game.
Nkrumah Bonner joined Miller at the crease and both safely negotiated the remaining overs of Day 1 as Jamaica closed on 89/1, still trailing Guyana first innings score by 28 runs, but with nine wickets in hand.
Campbell is not out on 32 while Bonner is unbeaten on 9. Day 2 starts at 10am Jamaica Time (11am Eastern Caribbean Time) tomorrow morning.