‘Spin-derella’ story

Brown claims fairy tale 5-6 from nine overs to spur Ja

BY SANJAY MYERS Observer staff reporter

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Afirst-class career-best knock of 155 from Donovan Pagon and a devastating five-wicket haul from wrist spinner Odean Brown launched Jamaica into an unbeatable position in the regional four-day match against cellar team Leeward Islands at Sabina Park.

The Leeward Islands, replying to Jamaica’s 404-8 declared yesterday, could only put together 104 before they were dismissed just on the brink of close of play.

Scores: Jamaica 404-8 declared (152 overs); Leeward Islands 104 all out (38.1 overs)

The 29-year-old Pagon, who resumed on 106 not out overnight and captain Tamar Lambert, unbeaten on 28, batted positively and pushed the total from 220-3 to 265-3 before the latter was trapped leg before wicket by medium-pacer Tonito Willett for 51.

Lambert and Pagon had added a crucial 120 runs for the fourth wicket.

Pagon, who was dropped twice on the opening day, had further fortune yesterday when wicketkeeper Devon Thomas spilled an inside edged chance off the hard-working Willett when the right-hander was on 135.

The Melbourne CC batsman eventually went when left-arm orthodox bowler Jason Campbell held onto a catch off his own bowling. It was too little, too late for Campbell who floored an easy opportunity off Pagon when he was on nought.

By the time he was dismissed, Pagon had plundered 14 boundaries and four sixes in a battling knock spanning 330 balls and Jamaica had rattled along to 316-5.

Bernard, who had a quiet start to this season’s tournament, batted with authority to help build a commanding total and increase the prospect of the team batting once in the match.

At the other end, Jamaica lost wicketkeeper/batsman Carlton Baugh (26) and Nikita Miller (6) as the home team pushed on to 381-7.

Bernard continued to play fluently and brought up the 400-mark when he lofted off-break bowler Justin Athanaze for a straight six. The all-rounder met his demise soon after when he struck the spinner’s delivery into hands of Nelson Bolan deep in the on-side. He made 70 off 129 balls and blasted six fours and three sixes.

Athanaze was the Leewards' top wicket-taker with 3-102 off 37 overs.

Jamaica declared on 404-8 and immediately put the Leewards team under pressure when left-arm pacer Sheldon Cotterell clean-bowled opener Javier Liburd (0) with a spectacular in-swinging delivery that snuck between bat and pad with the score at 1-1.

With the pitch producing more pace than it did on day one, fellow pacer Andrew Richardson dismissed the pair of Kieran Powell (10) and captain Gavin Williams (0) to leave the Leeward Islands in dire straits at 28-3.

Montcin Hodge, with a few sumptuous drives straight down the ground and through the off-side, and the businesslike Thomas added a refreshing 52 before the 30-year-old Brown took the game by the scruff of the neck.

The spinner beat the defence of Hodge (33) with a full delivery that cannoned into the stumps and had Willett (1) out lbw to restrict Leewards to 94-5.

Left-arm spinner Nikita also got in on the act when he sent back both Thomas (38) and Jahmar Hamilton (0) as the visitors limped to 95-7.

The inspired-looking Brown then mopped up the last three wickets to end with stupendous figures of 5-6 off nine overs and one ball.

Athanaze went on the backfoot and edged a catch from a bouncing delivery to Baugh, while Campbell was bamboozled and bowled by a quicker delivery.

Last man Anthony Martin also found his stumps shattered when he played down the wrong line to Brown.

Richardson took 2-23, while Miller snared 2-31.

At the close of play, Lambert said the team will decide overnight whether they will enforce the follow-on and send the Leewards in to bat when play resumes at 10:00 am on today's third day.

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‘Spin-derella’ story