Jamaica through to Busta Cup final
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CANA) - Jamaica, having taken first innings points, assured themselves a place in Friday's final of the regional Busta Cup cricket tournament against the Leeward Islands, after playing to a tame draw against Guyana in their semi-final game at Sabina Park here yesterday. The Jamaicans will host the final at Sabina Park. Scores: Jamaica 348 and 192 for six; Guyana 242. Jamaica, resuming on the final day with a lead of 145 and eight wickets in hand, suffered early nerves when West Indies fast bowler Reon King removed James Adams (20) and Ricardo Powell (7) to have the home team stumbling at 59 for four after 50 minutes. But a 45-run partnership in 74 minutes between Robert Samuels and opener Wavell Hinds - who batted patiently for 39 in 227 minutes, facing 158 balls - made the game safe for Jamaica. The game was called off half-an-hour after the tea interval with Samuels, a former West Indies batsman, undefeated on 73 and Nehemiah Perry four not out. Samuels batted for 230 minutes, faced 185 balls and hit six fours and a six. Jamaica's captain, James Adams, said he was satisfied with his team's performance. "We did what we had to do and I am quite happy with that, " he said. King struck in the morning's first over, finding the edge of Adams' probing bat for wicketkeeper Vishal Nagamootoo to take the catch. Ricardo Powell (7) essayed a huge on-drive to be bowled between bat and pad by King at 59 for four to give Guyana some hope. But by the time Hinds was bowled between bat and pad in the first over after lunch, the Jamaicans were already safe. After Hinds' dismissal, Samuels got fine support from all-rounder Laurie Williams who hit 29 as the Jamaicans settled for valuable batting practice ahead of the final. King bowled aggressively and finished with the impressive figures of four for 30 from his 20 overs. Chris Gayle, for his first innings score of 168, was named man-of-the-match. JAMAICA 1st innings 348 (C. Gayle 168; N. McGarrell 4-82) Guyana 1st innings 242 (S. Chanderpaul 112; F. Rose 6-71) Jamaica 2nd innings (o/n 39 for 2) W. Hinds b Darlington 39 C. Gayle b King 5 T. Powell LBW b King 0 J. Adams c wkp. V. Nagamootoo b King 20 R. Powell b King 7 R. Samuels not out 73 L. Williams c A. Haniff b M. Nagamootoo 29 N. Perry not out 4 Extras: (b-1l, lb-2, nb-2) 15 Total: (for six wickets) 192 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-7, 3-43, 4-59, 5-104. 6-174. Bowling: King 20-10-30-4, Darlington 18-2-37-1(nb-2), McGarrell 24-10-41-0, M. Nagamootoo 21-8-50-1, Semple 11-3-21-0.
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