Blackwood, Bonner deliver early edge

Gros Islet, St. Lucia, CMC – Jermaine Blackwood and Nkrumah Bonner were both dismissed within sight of breakthrough hundreds to give Jamaica early control over Windward Islands in the Headley/Weekes Trophy Final on Saturday here.

Blackwood has so far hit the top score of 94 and Bonner supported with 88, as Jamaica, sent in to bat, reached 232 for three in their first innings at the close on the opening day of the finale to the Regional Four-Day Championship.

Blackwood and Bonner shared a Jamaica record for the second wicket against the Windwards of 180 to take the sting out of their opponents’ attack, energised by the sight of a hard, true Beausejour Cricket Ground pitch with several patches of grass and the early scalp of left-handed opener John Campbell.