FILE PHOTO: David Bernard Jr.PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten, CMC:
DAVID BERNARD JR. compiled a responsible and impressive century, but fast medium-pacer Kerry Jeremy captured five wickets to earn the Leeward Islands first innings against leaders Jamaica on the third of their four-day Carib Beer Series cricket match at the Carib Lumber Ball Park yesterday.
Bernard stroke his way to 102 as Jamaica, responding to the Leewards' huge total of 510 for nine declared, were bowled out for 448 and now look set to have their impressive five-game winning streak halted.
Jeremy finished with figures of five for 77 from 23 overs after the Jamaicans had resumed their innings from an overnight 179 for three.
Bernard, who was ninth out after batting for 222 minutes, having faced 168 balls while striking 15 fours, shared important partnerships of 59 with Marlon Samuels, who stroked a cautious 46, and 100 for the eighth wicket with Nikita Miller, who hit a mature 48.
Earlier, Donovan Pagon, who was unbeaten on 59 overnight, looked set for a bigger score before he was dismissed for a well-played 84 just before lunch, which was taken at 246 for four.
Pagon, like Samuels, was tied down by accurate bowling by the Leewards in the first session that yielded a mere 67 runs, and he was caught on the mid-wicket boundary as he attempted to lift off-spinner Omari Banks over the top.
The former West Indies youth batting star was at the crease for 264 minutes, faced 174 balls and struck eight fours and a six.
Jamaica accelerated in the second session thanks to Samuels and Bernard who took the charge to Banks and debutant leg-spinner Brian Stephanie, but the new ball produced three quick wickets while the visitors added an impressive 124 runs in 27 overs.
Samuels edged a wide ball from Jeremy to the wicket-keeper to be fifth out at 287, Carlton Baugh (4) was bowled by pacer Carl Simon, and Daren Powell (14) was also bowled, by Jeremy.
The Jamaicans took tea on 370 for seven with Bernard on 66 and Miller on 21.
They extended their stand into the second hour after the interval before Miller, who batted with sound defence and occasional enterprise, edged part-time medium-pacer Tonito Willett for Ridley Jacobs to take his second catch behind the stumps.
Miller's knock came off 108 balls and included five fours. They took score from 326 for seven to 426 for eight.
Bernard, who was dropped on 21 and 56, progressed nicely to his century when he leg-glanced Jeremy for a boundary but he was dismissed in the same over when he gave the bowler a return catch.
And with his next delivery, Jeremy ended the Jamaican's innings by trapping Dwight Washington leg-before-wicket for no-score to give the Leewards first innings points and a lead of 62.
