Jamaica Spits The Bit

Fri, Oct 17, '03

Led by a fine all-round effort from left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell, Guyana snatched a miraculous four-run victory over hosts Jamaica to advanced to the finals of the Red Stripe Bowl one-day tournament.

McGarrell, who top-scored with 43 in Guyana's total of 183 from 49.5 overs, was in the thick of things at the end when six Jamaican wickets fell for 29 runs as Guyana completed a stunning victory.

Jamaica was in cruise control mode bat 150 for four with opener Chris Gayle in command when things fell apart. Gayle top scored with 67 but it was his dismissal, caught by Chanderpaul off the bowling of Nagamootoo that was the crucial blow.

Nagamootoo (3 for 24 from 9.1 overs) and McGarrell (2 for 31 from 10 overs) then got on top of the Jamaican batting line-up as Jamaica slumped to 179 all out, just four runs away from the target. Pacer Esaun Crandon also picked up two wickets.

Earlier, Jamaica's bowlers ripped the heart out of the Guyana line-up to put the home team into a position to win the semi-final encounter. Pacers Jerome Taylor (2-32) and David Bernard (2-20) took key wickets as Guyana lost wickets early and regularly.

A rearguard fightback by McGarrell (43) and Mahendra Nagamootoo (30) pushed the Guyana total past the 170 mark.

McGarrell was named man-of-the-match.

Trinidad & Tobago meets Barbados Friday in the second semi-final.