Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Melbourne president Courtney Walsh (right) lends a helping hand during one of the delays in play in the Jamaica Super League match between hosts Melbourne and Trelawny yesterday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
BARBADIAN KURT Wilkinson shone in the Jamaica Super League yesterday, but most other players had to watch the entire day from the dressing room as rain plagued all matches across the island in the semi-pro competition. The Manchester Lions, who were set to showcase Test batsman Runako Morton against Kingston, had their entire day rained out at Kirkvine and the match between St. Elizabeth Shakes and Westmoreland Wizards was almost lost entirely to inclement weather as well.
AT ALPART, only 47 overs were possible and the Wizards, after being sent in to bat, reached 107 for nine.
Adrian Thompson top scored with 29 against Wayne Simpson (3-21), Alton Beckford (2-9) and Conroy Miller (2-21).
AT MELBOURNE OVAL, which saw play called off at 3:25 p.m., Wilkinson made hay while the sun shone.
Wilkinson hit 71 for the Trelawny Buccaneers, who closed on 138 for two. Wilkinson, in his innings, hit 12 fours off 90 balls.
Lorenzo Ingram, 36 not out, and Floyd Reifer, the team's other Barbadian pro, 15 not out, put on 28 for the third wicket before the rain intervened. Nikita Miller, who had Wilkinson stumped by Carlton Baugh Jr., and trapped Rupert Green leg before for six has so far taken 2-40.
AT CHEDWIN PARK, Keith Hibbert, Danza Hyatt and Andre Russell scored half centuries to put the St. Catherine Saints in a good position against Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Brigades.
The Saints benefitted from three reasonably good partnerships - 84 for the first wicket between Hibbert, 79, and Junior Stewart, 41; 70 for the second with Hibbert and Hyatt, 67, and the latter and Russell, 64, who put together 86 for the sixth wicket.
Damion Grey led the Brigades' bowling with 5-43. He was well supported by Mark Grey (2-40) and Akbal Moodie (2-60).
Play in all matches resumes this morning at 10:00, weather permitting.