By Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer
Jamaica's opening batsman Xavier Marshall was in smashing form yesterday in the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 cricket fixture at Jamalco Sports Complex. Marshall hit a superb 188, his third century in five games. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
JUST LIKE the way he kick-started Jamaica's campaign in the one-day version of the TCL Group/West Indies Under-19 cricket competition, opener Xavier Marshall blasted a huge century yesterday to start hosts' campaign in the three-day competition against the Rest of the Americas at the Jamalco Sports Complex.
Marshall flogged 14 boundaries and five sixes in his 212-ball knock of 188 that lasted 277 minutes to put Jamaica in the commanding position of 381 for six at stumps.
Having notched up two centuries in the one-dayers, including a run-a-ball 114 in the final against Barbados on Sunday, Marshall walked to the crease as Jamaica's in-form batsman. Along with fellow opener Yannick Elliot, he set about hammering the modest Rest of the Americas bowling. The pair put on 142 for the first wicket before Elliot went caught by Favian Syed off the bowling of Karvin Jetti for 60.
Elliot's demise had little effect on Marshall as he continued to display controlled aggression in his strokeplay. He added 41 for the second wicket with Zennieffe Fowler (41) and an impressive 113 with his captain, Jamie Trenchfield (31), who fell to a miscued hook shot. Trenchfield, who went to bat with his side on 183-2, hung around long enough to see Marshall raise his 150. Like Marshall, he showed little respect for the Americas' bowling, striking some lusty blows. However, just after tea Marshall was robbed of an opportunity to go on to record a deserved double century. After hitting Hussain Aziz through mid-off for two runs at the start of the over, the very next ball Marshall drove with his bat too far from his body, leaving enough space for the military medium pacer to bring one back and clip the top of his off stump.
A gloomy day for the Americas had brightened up and by the close they had reduced Jamaica to 381-6, removing Wayne Morgan for 31 and wicketkeeper batsman Jeffery Scott (1). However pacer Denva Pasley, who was not out on nine, and Albert Gopie (17 not out) ensured no further loss.
Spinner Aziz who sports a turban like that worn by India's Harbhajan Singh, has so far taken 3-88 off 23 overs to be the pick of the bowlers.
