Jamaica close in on win against Windwards

A disciplined bowling effort put defending champions Jamaica in sight of victory against Windward Islands in Spanish Town. Buoyed by a lead of 154, the Jamaica bowlers dismissed the Windwards for 251 in their second innings, with Dave Bernard jnr, Nikita Miller, and Odean Brown picking up two wickets apiece. Rawl Lewis led the way for Windwards though, with a purposeful, unbeaten 63, and found steady support in the lower order from Lyndon James and Kenroy Peters. Jamaica put down three catchces, but succeeded in limiting the Windwards to 110 for 4 at lunch. Jamaica made further inroads after the break to leave the visitors wobbling at 130 for 7. However, Lewis and James then shared the best stand of the innings of 53 for the eighth wicket. Peters joined Lewis and frustrated Jamaica further with a 45-run stand. Lewis enjoyed himself towards the end of the innings with a couple of lofty hits that fetched six fours and three sixes as well as getting to his fifty, before Nelon Pascal was run out to bring the innings to a close. Jamaica, chasing a meagre 98 for victory, reached 20 for 2 in their second innings, when rain and bad light brought a premature end to the day's play.

The Leeward Islands failed to capitalise on a 114-run second-wicket partnership between Montcin Hodge and Runako Morton to hand Barbados a lifeline in Kingston. The Leewards ended the day on 186 for 6, just 193 ahead and with Barbados having capable batsmen like Dale Richards and Ryan Hinds in their lineup, an intriguing finish might be on the cards tomorrow. Resuming on 20 for no loss, Kieran Powell returned early but Hodge and Morton took Leewards to 94 by lunch. Even as Hodge was caught behind off Pedro Collins soon after reaching his fifty, Morton powered on. There was no further assistance in the offing and Morton made the most of two reprieves to smash eight fours en route to an unbeaten 78. On what appears to be a sluggish pitch, Morton holds Leewards' fortunes and would do well to atleast secure the first-innings points.

Persistent rain throughout the day forced the third day's play between Trinidad & Tobago and Combined Campuses & Colleges in Montego Bay to be abandoned.