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Nash century puts J'ca on top (Carib Beer Cricket Challenge Final, Day 1 - Tea)

CMC | 25/04/08

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jamaica, replying to Trinidad & Tobago's first innings total of 121, reached 250 for seven at tea on the second day in the Carib Beer Challenge Final on Friday at Sabina Park.

At the break, Nikita Miller was not out on 10 and Jerome Taylor was not out on four, after Brendon Nash completed his fifth first-class hundred and second for Jamaica.

Nash, the Australia-born left-hander, whose parents hail from Jamaica, enhanced his claims for a place in the West Indies squad for the upcoming series against Australia, when he hit a purposeful 117.

Nash reached his landmark, when he flicked Kieron Pollard through backward square leg for two before he flashed at a short, wide delivery from Ravi Rampaul and was caught behind to become the last of three wickets which Jamaica lost in the afternoon period.

Nash struck 13 boundaries from 291 balls in 5-1/2 hours and added 106 for the fifth wicket with Jamaica captain Tamar Lambert, who scored 50.

After Jamaica continued from their lunch-time total of 189 for four, Lambert and Nash both pursued their respective landmarks.

Lambert reached his half-century quite fortuitously, when on 49, he essayed a cut at short, wide ball from Pollard, and Amit Jaggernauth at gully dropped him for the cherished run.

But Lambert soon gave his hand away, when he was caught at mid-on, driving Mervyn Dillon uppishly and Ganga running to his right stuck out his right hand, and plucked the ball from the air. The Jamaica captain struck a single boundary from 129 balls in 2-3/4 hours.

T&T however, fought back in the last half-hour before the break, when Rampaul had Carlton Baugh Jr. caught behind for 17, and then snared Nash just before the break.

Rampaul has been T&T's most successful bowler with three wickets for 54 runs from 16 overs, and Dillon has taken two for 46 from 16 overs.

The Carib Beer Challenge Final is the ceremonial end to the West Indies first-class season, and features the teams that finish in the top two positions from the Carib Beer Cup league competition.