The Windwards never put up a fight, as they were bowled out for 249 before tea, in reply to Jamaica’s first innings total of 338, giving the Jamaicans a lead of 89.

The home team closed on 145 for two, a lead of 234, after West Indies opener Chris Gayle blasted 71 from 88 balls in his typical swashbuckling manner.

Beginning the day on 121 for four, the Windwards lost their first wicket forty minutes into the day’s play as captain Rawl Lewis (45) drove at pacer Darren Powell, who was getting some away swing. He got a thick edge and David Bernard took an excellent catch running to wide mid-off diving and tumbling.

Ten runs later Darren Sammy (2) got a good length ball from Andrew Richardson and was caught flat-footed, as he edged the ball to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh.

The Windwards went to lunch at 200 for six wickets, needing 139 more runs for first innings point.

Immediately after the interval - the first over - Sergio Fedee (36) turned leg-spinner Odean Brown to Keith Hibbert at short leg for a very easy dismissal, despite Brown getting some bounce and turn.

Lindon James (29) was out in controversial manner after he swept Brown to the mid-wicket boundary as Tamar Lambert running round caught the ball.

However, there was some contention as to whether Lambert, who threw the ball onto the field before running over the ropes, had taken the catch while still on the field.

Shane Shillingford (14) and Deighton Butler (22) had a partnership of 25 for the ninth wicket before Shillingford drove at David Bernard and was bowled between bat and pad.

Butler was last out as he swung Perry to Bernard on the square-leg boundary, leaving Fernix Thomas not out nine.

Experienced spinner Perry (3-68) was the most successful bowler for the Jamaicans, while Brown and Richardson each got two wickets for 38 runs.

Batting a second time with 89 runs lead, the Jamaican openers Maurice Kepple and Gayle had a solid start. They posted 110 before Gayle tried to hit a ball from Thomas over long off, only succeeding in skying it to Fedee at mid-on. His 71 included one six and ten fours.

Seven runs later the ever-gritty Kepple (37) went after hanging his bat at a leg-break from Lewis for Sammy at slip to accept the catch.

However, Donovan Pagon (13 n.o.) and Tamar Lambert (20 n.o.) saw the home tea to the close.

JAMAICA 1st innings 338 (D.Bernard 120; D.Butler 3-78)

WINDWARDS 1st innings (o/n 121-4)

D.Smith c Lambert b Perry 51

R.Currency c wkp. Baugh b Richardson 2

C.Emmanuel lbw Bernard 28

K.Martin c & b Perry 0

S.Fedee c Hibbert b Brown 36

R.Lewis c Bernard b Powell 45

D.Sammy c wkp. Baugh b Richardson 2

L.James c Lambert b Brown 29

S.Shillingford b Bernard 14

D.Butler c Bernard b Perry 22

F.Thomas not out 9

Extras: (lb-5, nb-5, w-1) 11

Total: (all out - 93.5 overs) 249

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-85, 3-85, 4-86, 5-148, 6-158, 7-200, 8-208, 9-233.

Bowling: Powell 16-4-32-1, Richardson 15-3-38-2 (nb-1), Gayle 9-5-12-0, Perry 24.5-6-68-3(nb-4), Bernard 13-4-56-2, Brown 16-4-38-2.

JAMAICA 2nd innings

C.Gayle c Fedee b Thomas 71

M.Kepple c Sammy b Lewis 37

D.Pagon not out 13

T.Lambert not out 20

Extras: (nb-4) 4

Total; (for 2 wickets - 42 overs) 145

Fall of wickets: 1-110, 2-117.