J'ca in Command; Guyana 87-3

Hosts Jamaica appears set to pull off an outright win over the Leeward Islands in the opening round match of the 2005 Carib Beer cricket series.

Chasing a target of 309, the Leewards reached 16 for two at the close of the third day. Earlier, Jamaica captain Tamar Lambert (70) and Dave Bernard (76) pushed the home side to 270 to set up a competitive total.

Jamaica 188 (Donovan Pagon 44, Tamar Lambert 38; Kerry Jeremy 3-41, Omari Banks 3-51) and 270 (Dave Bernard 76, Tamar Lambert 70, Donovan Pagon 55; Wilden Cornwall 3-18, Adam Sanford 3-63).

Leeward Islands 150 (Runako Morton 50, Sylvester Joseph 35; Jerome Taylor 5-22, Nikita Miller 4-48) and 16-2 (Jerome Taylor 2-8).

GUYANA REACHES 87 FOR 3

When play finally got underway in the first round match between Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago at Couva, the visitors reached 87 for three highlighted by a fighting unbeaten 48 from new vice-captain Narsingh Deonarine.

The rain that washed out the first two days also shortened the third day's play as Guyana fought back from 17 for three with Deonarine and left-hander Assad Fudadin featured in an unbeaten 70-run partnership.

Sent in to bat, Guyana lost Ryan Ramdass in the third over and, 13 runs later, Sewnarine Chattergoon became Richard Kelly's second victim. With the score on 17, new boy Kyron Lynch brushed the edge of Krisha Arjune to put the visitors in distress.

The final day's play Monday will start early (9:30 a.m) but if there's no decision on first innings, each team will collect four points.