Bernard Slams Maiden FC Ton

All-rounder David Bernard (jnr) became the first Jamaican to register a century in this year?s Carib Beer International Shield/Cup tournament as Jamaica held a firm grip against defending International Shield champions Guyana at the end of the second day of their semifinal clash at the Albion Community Development Centre ground.

At the close of an intriguing second day?s play, Guyana were 39 without loss, 447 runs adrift of Jamaica?s 486 for seven declared.

Openers Azeemul Haniff and Krishna Arjune, who weathered the early storm of fast bowlers Jermaine Lawson and Darren Powell, are undefeated on 15 and 13 respectively.

Resuming on his overnight 64, the consistent and determined Bernard hit a solid and chanceless 109, carrying his tally of runs in this year?s tournament to 497.

Obviously playing to a plan, the Jamaicans were rather ultra-cautious in their approach.

In contrast to when they scored over a hundred runs in each of the three sessions yesterday, the visitors scored a mere 38 runs in the first session, while losing the wicket of overnight batsman Gareth Breese for 79, and 57 in the second, losing Bernard.

The Jamaicans however quickened the pace in the final session with the declaration in sight - skipper Robert Samuels (55) going on to register his third half-century of the tournament.

Breese, whose overnight 62 was laced with eight fours, looked as though he wanted to continue in the same attacking vein as on the opening day when he caressed leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo through covers for four in the day?s second over.

There was however a sudden change in tactics by both Breese and Bernard who were content to only hit anything loose and merely occupy the crease.

Sensing the batsmen?s mood, Guyana?s captain Carl Hooper, who refused to take the new ball, also decided to use defensive tactics with himself and left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell bowling in tandem.

The ploy by Breese to play quietly eventually backfired when he was trapped lbw by McGarrell, pushing forward to an arm ball. His dismissal ended a 133-run fifth-wicket partnership in 204 minutes with Bernard while his 79 included seven fours in 204 minutes off 172 balls.

Robert Samuels joined Bernard and continued the strange tactics and by lunch had scored just one run in 25 minutes batting while Powell had advanced to 83 and Jamaica 373 for five.

Both batsmen continued their slow approach after the interval, Bernard understandably so, looking to register his maiden first-class century.

The left-hander Samuels took 35 minutes to come off one, lofting McGarrell one bounce over long on for four.

Bernard eventually reached a richly deserved ton when he slashed fast bowler Rayon Griffith through backward point for his eleventh boundary. It occupied 393 minutes off 364 balls. A delighted Bernard punched the air to celebrate the milestone before getting a congratulatory hug from his captain.

The umpires were forced to give Guyana the second new ball after 163.1 overs when Samuels hoisted Nagamootoo over long-on for a huge six, the ball landing out of the ground in a trench and was not retrieved.

The unwelcome gesture brought immediate success for Guyana when Bernard drove Griffith straight to Travis Dowlin low at covers to depart at 430 for six. His fine 109 included 13 fours in 426 minutes and it also ended a 60-run sixth-wicket partnership with Samuels.

At tea, Samuels was undefeated on 26 and wicketkeeper Keith Hibbert one.

Batting with much more purpose after tea, Samuels reached 50 when he pulled Griffith through mid-on but the tall fast bowler rebounded by yorking the Jamaican captain in the following over. His 55 included five fours and a six in 201 minutes off 143 balls while the 48-run partnership occupied 61 minutes.

When the declaration came at 16:07 hrs, Hibbert was undefeated on 17 and Powell seven.

Griffith finished with three for 92 and McGarrell two for 103.

* From Guyana Chronicle.