FALMOUTH, Jamaica, CMC- New Zealand have clawed their way back after they were forced to struggle against a Jamaica X1 on the first day of the two- day tour match yesterday at the Trelawny Multiplex here.
New Zealand who were struggling at 42 for the loss of four wickets limped to 112 for six declared but debutant Mark Craig grabbed three late wickets to throw the homeside into disarray at 94 for five at stumps.
The Black Caps opened their tour of the West Indies with a tough batting day losing captain Peter Fulton without scoring with the score on seven after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Left arm pacer Gavon Brown led the Jamaica attack that crippled New Zealand’s innings taking two wickets for 15 runs including the wicket of BJ Watling who was bowled for seven as the Blackcaps slipped to 43-3 just before rain brought the players in.
After James Neesham , fresh from the Indian Premier League (IPL) was, removed without scoring , New Zealand went to lunch at 53-4.
But Tom Latham looked promising on his way to 33 before he became Brown’s second victim, trapped lbw.
Ish Sodhi and Luke Ronchi rallied in the middle innings contributing 23 not out and 21 respectively as Christopher Powell, Odean Brown, Ramaal Lewis and Brian Buchanan picked up a wicket each.
A solid opening stand of 40 between Shacaya Thomas and Jon Ross Campbell ensured the Jamaicans were given an encouraging start.
But when the partnership was broken after Campbell was caught for 18, the Jamaica innings began to collapse.
Offspinner Craig exploited a grassless pitch to remove opener Thomas for 22, captain Paul Palmer for six and Brandon King for three to send the homeside reeling.
Kenar Lewis is not out on a well played 31.
The Jamaica select X1 trail by 18 runs with five first innings wicket standing.
Scoreboard
NEW ZEALANDERS 1st Innings
*P. Fulton c King b Powell 0
H. Rutherford lbw b Buchanan 13
T. Latham lbw b G. Brown 33
+B.J. Watling b G. Brown 7
J. Neesham c Allen b O. Brown 0
L. Ronchi c Powell b R. Lewis 21
I. Sodhi not out 22
M. Craig not out 12
Extras (b1, lb3) 4
TOTAL (6 wkts, 53 overs) 112
N. Wagner, T. Boult, M. Wilson did not bat
Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-17, 3-42, 4-46, 5-69, 6-84
Bowling: Buchanan 11-4-24-1; Powell 11-4-21-1; G. Brown 11-7-15-2; O. Brown 10
-1-34-1; R. Lewis 10-2-14-1
JAMAICA SELECT XI 1st Innings
S. Thomas c Ronchi b Craig 22
J.R. Campbell c Craig b Wagner 18
K. Lewis not out 31
P. Palmer c Neesham b Craig 6
B. King c Ronchi b Craig 3
D. Gayle b Wagner 4
Extras (b6, lb2, nb2) 10
TOTAL (5 wkts, 27.4 overs) 94
+A. Thomas, F. Allen, R. Lewis, O. Brown, C. Powell to bat
Fall of wickets: 1-40, 2-51, 3-68, 4-82, 5-94
Bowling: Boult 5-0-25-0 (nb1); Wagner 4.4-0-18-2 (nb1); Neesham 3-0-12-0; Craig 9
-3-17-3; Sodhi 6-2-14-0
Position: Jamaica Select XI trail by 18 with five first innings wickets standing
Players-a-side: 13 (11 bat, 11 field)
Toss: New Zealanders
Umpires: V. Smith, C. Taylor