Leon Johnson’s XI trail Anthony Adams’ XI by 159 runs after the close of play on a closely contested first day of the Jaguars’ second three-day warm up match at the National Stadium, Providence yesterday.
Adams’ army batted first and posted 244 run in 74.5 overs before they were dismissed two hours before stumps. By close of play, Johnson’s men had reached 85 for 1 in 21 overs.
Jonathan Foo’s half century emphasized the ease of batting on the flat pitch under mostly sunny conditions. The right hander made 60 from 137 balls during his 155-minute stay at the crease.
Foo, who went to lunch yet to get off the mark, stroked six boundaries and shared in a 57-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed who made 39 from 44 balls. During their 92-ball resistance, Ali-Mohamed hammered four fours and two sixes before sweeping into Vishaul Singh’s hand at leg slip and go to tea at 219 for 6.
Foo also forged a 40-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Akshaya Persaud who made a composed 32 from 81 balls after spending two hours at the crease and hitting five boundaries.
Earlier, the foundation was laid with Raymond Perez (46) and Trevon Griffith (24) providing a 55-run opening partnership. Perez’s knock lasted two hours and was highlighted by four fours and two sixes while Griffith pummeled four fours and one six which went down the ground in his hour-long innings. This stand allowed Adams’ men to go to lunch at 113 for 3.
With the ball, left-arm seamer, Raymon Reifer picked up 3 for 18 in his 9.5 overs while off-spinner, Kevin Sinclair bagged 3-53 in his dozen overs. Also among the wickets were Veerasammy Permaul (2-72), Christopher Barnwell (1-13) and Devendra Bishoo (1-29).
Meanwhile, when they batted, Johnson’s men lost Tevin Imlach cheaply after he was trapped leg before wicket to Ali-Mohamed in the second over. However, there was consolidation with an unbroken partnership of 79 between Chandrapaul Hemraj and Johnson.
Hemraj closed the day on 46 not out from 60 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes, one of which landed over mid-wicket and into the Red Stand. Johnson on the other hand has faced 64 balls and scored 23 runs, including two boundaries.
Play resumes at 09.30 hours today.
