Nkrumah Bonner chalked up a brilliant unbeaten ton on the second day of the three-day Best versus Best match yesterday to put Team Blackwood in a strong position.
Team Blackwood resumed on 234 for four and eventually made 384 for six from 143 overs before declaring. Team Brathwaite countered and closed on 73 for two after 41 overs at the end of the day at Coolidge cricket ground, Antigua.
The 32-year-old Bonner was already on 90 from 200 balls and accelerated after reaching triple figures to finish on 166 from 367 balls. The right hander’s innings was highlighted by 17 fours and two sixes.
The Jamaican was well supported at the other end by Barbadian all-rounder, Raymon Reifer, who played the supporting role but also crossed his personal landmark.
The former Guyana Jaguars talisman struck two sixes and eight fours during his 155-ball innings before being run out on 71 and effectively ending the 134-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Jahmar Hamilton failed to trouble the scores, feathering an edge to Joshua Da Silva off young pacer, Jayden Seales in the 134th over.
Bonner was then joined by Alzarri Joseph who made five from 26 balls but forged an unbroken 31-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
In Team Brathwaite’s first innings, Kemar Roach trapped Jeremy Solozano leg before wicket in the first over to give Team Blackwood an early breakthrough.
However, test skipper, Kraigg Brathwaite and Shamarh Brooks united to solidify an unfinished 69-run second wicket partnership before Brooks was dismissed by leg spinner, Imran Khan, for 34. His 114-ball innings featured four boundaries.
Brathwaite soldiered on and eventually saw his side out the day to finish on 35 from 122 balls, laced with five boundaries. At the other end is Shai Hope who is yet to get off the mark after seven balls.
