Melbourne, Lucas in final

MELBOURNE earned the right to meet Lucas in the final of the year's Rothmans National Cricket Championship when they gained first innings points from St. Elizabeth in their two-day sem-final which ended at Melbourne Oval yesterday.

The three-day final will be played at Nelson Oval on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Final scores: Melbourne 397 for four declared (Marlon Samuels 215, brother Robert Samuels 123 not out; Cassius Burton two for 76) and 234 for seven when played was called off on the stroke of 5 o'clock; St. Elizabeth 153.

Yesterday's play was highlighted by an aggressive century from Melbourne's opening batsman Aubrey Wollaston who scored 131. His innings lasted 198 minutes during which he slammed 20 fours and two sixes. He was eventually caught on the long off boundary by Lincoln Brown off the St. Elizabeth captain Sheldon Gordon at 221 for six.

Resuming at 48 for two with Jamaica player Carl Wright (27) and Lincoln Brown (5) both back in the pavilion, St. Elizabeth lost their third wicket when 16-year-old Kenroy Williams was caught by Marlon Samuels at gully off by Guyana and West Indies 'A' fast bowler Colin Stuart for 11 to make it 60 for three.

St. Elizabeth slumped to 60 for five after Krishana Edwards was run out for zero and Sheldon Gordon was trapped leg before by Stuart for 12. But thanks to two hard hitting innings from St. Elizabeth Technical Headley Cup player Kamal Dennis, who cracked 48 with the help of eight fours and two sixes and Ainsley Goss, 41 not out with five four and two sixes, St. Elizabeth were able to pass the 150 mark despite four batsmen failing to score.

Left-arm spinner Dwayne Cooper, who picked up the wicket of Dennis (caught), finished with four for 39 off 11.1 overs (seven maidens) and Stuart, four for 70 off 15 overs.

Melbourne did not bother to enforce the follow on, opting instead for batting practice in their second innings. However, they lost opening batsman Donovan Pagon to Burton without scoring, while Ray Stewart picked up a pair in the match when falling to Goss for nought.

Melbourne slummed to 18 for four after first innings hero Marlon Samuels was brilliantly caught at first slip by Krishana Edwards off Burton without scoring. But Wollaston (131) and Kevin Baugh (54) halted the slide in a brisk fifth wicket partnership of 119. Burton clamed three for 71 in 12 overs and Goss, two for 42 off nine.

AT NELSON OVAL: Defending champions Lucas, led by impressive figures of six for 42 by 20-year-old spinner Omar Burke, got the better of St. Ann on first innings in their drawn match.

St. Ann, replying to Lucas' 326 were dismissed for 175 in 74 overs and three balls. When play was called off yesterday Lucas had reached 158 for four in their second innings.

"It was a good all-round performance," Lucas coach Dennis Miller said after the game. Looking ahead Miller said he expected a close final.

"We have had very keen battles over the years against Melbourne and I am pretty sure this one will be no different," Miller said.

Resuming on their overnight score of 47 for two St. Ann struggled against the bowling of Burke.

Xavier Marshall 51 and his cousin Rashard Marshall 39, were the leading scorers for St. Ann.

In Lucas' second innings Kevin Riley (32), Ryan Wellington (51) and Rohan Smith (38) were the top batsmen, while St. Ann's Andre Dwyer took three for 44.

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