Windward Islands batsman Dennis George is bowled by Krishmar Santokie (not in photo) for six against Jamaica in their West Indies Under-19 cricket Championships at Port Esquivel yesterday. The wicketkeeper is Junior Stewart. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer GOOD BOWLING, backed up with brilliant fielding, gave hosts Jamaica the upper hand against Windward Islands entering today's second day of their opening round West Indies Under-19 cricket championship match at Port Esquivel Sports Ground.
Scores at the end of the first day's play in the three-day encounter; Windward Islands 113; Jamaica 51 for one.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Windward Islands were in early trouble when pacer Sherman Gordon struck in the first over by removing Danniel Smith. Smith, the younger brother of Devon 'Shotgun' Smith, edged Gordon's final delivery in the first over to Xavier Marshall at third slip for zero with just one run on the board.
Delroy Johnson (14) and Craig Emmanuel (10) then added 23 for the second wicket, however, Krishmar Santokie, who replaced Gordon (1-12) after a five-over first spell, reaped immediate success. Johnson, playing across the line, was trapped plumb in front to a straight delivery.
Windward Islands then suffered a middle-order collapse when Jowayne Robinson and Santokie combined to dismiss Emmanuel (10), Liam Sebastien (three) and captain Gary Mathurin (17) as the visitors found themselves struggling on 52 for five at lunch.
Upon the resumption, Ezikel Francis (one) and Linden James (four) struggled to negotiate tight bowling of off-spinner Wayne Simpson and the left-arm pace of Santokie.
The partnership was finally broken when captain Shawn Findlay introduced part-time off-spinner Howard Powell into the attack. After giving up four runs in one over, the most in any over after the lunch interval, Powell finally got the breakthrough via the run out route.
Mathurin, trying to force a single after Francis played a ball behind him and failed in his attempt as both batsmen ended up in the same crease. At that stage the hosts seized the initiative with Marshall, Powell and Santokie doing the clean up work.
When Jamaica started their reply, Marshall and debutant Simon Jackson put on 49 for the first wicket before McCann Charlery broke through. The left-handed Jackson was caught behind by wicketkeeper James for 19.
Marshall (25), a member of last year's team, and nightwatchman Wayne Simpson (zero) will resume batting for the home team when play resumes at 10:00 a.m. this morning.
