Bennett

Following the first four-day trial match for Jamaica's senior cricketers, Junior Bennett, the team's head coach, expressed satisfaction with the general performance of the players.

On what Bennett described as a flat Sabina Park pitch, Brenton Parchment and Donovan Pagon, along with Tamar Lambert, scored centuries, while leg-spinner Gavin Wallace emerged with a five-wicket haul.

"I think it was a very good trial match," said Bennett. "To get three centuries in a trial game, we could not ask for more."

The coach also found the performance of the bowlers more heartening.

"Apart from the centuries, I am happy that all the bowlers are really getting to bowl a fair amount of overs. Most of the bowlers got in excess of 20 to 25 overs," added Bennett. "The pitch was very flat so I think the bowlers really put in the work. They stuck to the basics. So, we are extremely happy."

The format of the trial was unusual as only 11 players were allowed per team, unlike past occasions when selectors opted for 14 or more players per team, although some could not bowl or bat.

Bennett said the change was effected this time because they want the contests very competitive, especially since the tournament, unlike the past few seasons, will be longer with home and away matches.

Twenty-six players have been called to trials.

"We are trying to get each player to play a minimum of two games. Some will play three, so everyone will get a fair chance," he explained.

Needs sharpness

Having praised the performances of the batsmen and bowlers, Bennett believes the outfield cricket needs to be sharper, - describing it as "good in patches".

"We want to bring that up because once your fitness is good then you are going to be very competitive," the coach noted.

Meanwhile, Parchment, yesterday, completed the third century of the trial for his team, Brenton Parchment XI against Tamar Lambert's XI.

On yesterday's final day, Parchment, who resumed on 45, hit nine fours and two sixes in his score of 135.

Parchment's innings was the backbone of his team's 258 against Gavin Wallace 6-86, Tamar Lambert 2-28 and Andre Russell 2-30.

In the first innings, Parchment's XI, led by Donovan Pagon's 106 and Wavell Hinds' 44, scored 279. Ricardo DaCres took 4-55, Neive McNally 2-34 and Lambert 2-18.

On Sunday, Lambert's XI completed 292, thanks to the captain's 105 and Andre Russell's 55. Nikita Miller took 4-50 and Andrew Richardson 3-100.