ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) - Andrew Richardson bagged two quick wickets for Jamaica to set West Indies-B back in their rain-marred, key fifth round match of the Carib Beer 2004 Cricket Series at Stanford Cricket Ground, yesterday.
Sent in to bat after 11 hours of scheduled playing time was lost, West Indies-B reached 46 for two in their first innings when stumps were drawn on the scheduled second day of the match that started in the middle of the scheduled last session.
Jamaica literally made hay while the sun tried to shine giving all of their main bowlers a workout and seeing Richardson remove opening batsman Ryan Ramdass caught behind for seven and Shawn Findlay, one of three Jamaicans in the B-Team’s 11, bowled for a duck to leave the development side 18 for two.
Jason Haynes, the B-Team captain and Danza Hyatt, one of the other Jamaicans, were bravely trying to repair the damage and had shared 28, unbroken, for the third wicket up to the close.
Richardson had figures of two wickets for seven runs from five overs when play ended.
Earlier, not a ball was bowled in the morning period. Water seeped from the covers onto the pitch and the bowlers’ run-up at the southern end of the ground, following heavy rain that washed out the entire first day.
The ground staff worked feverishly to repair the damaged areas, but play was still not possible until after tea.
Umpires James Stevens and Austin Christopher had made an inspection at 2:30 p.m. (East Caribbean Time), but were still concerned about the damp spot on the bowlers’ run-up at the southern end of the ground, situated next door to the V.C. Bird International Airport.
Not wanting to risk anyone being injured, the umpires waited until 3:30 p.m. (ECT) to make another inspection and then decided play would commence at 4 p.m. (ECT).
West Indies-B are third in the standings on 24 points, two ahead of fourth-placed Jamaica.
WEST INDIES-B 1st innings
J. Haynes not out 17
R. Ramdass c wkpr Baugh b Richardson 7
S. Findlay b Richardson 0
D. Hyatt not out 21
Extras: (lb-1) 1
Total: (2 wkts) 46
Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-18.
Bowling: Taylor 3-1-10-0, Richardson 5-3-7-2, Mais 4-1-4-0, Bernard, Jr. 5-0-7-0, Breese 5-1-14-0, Cunningham 1-0-3-0.