Baugh ton rescues Jamaica

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

West Indies wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh stroked his 12th first-class century to haul Jamaica out of trouble on the opening day of their fifth-round clash against Trinidad and Tobago yesterday.

The diminutive right-hander cracked 101 as Jamaica finished the day on 242 for nine after opting to bat first at Queen's Park Oval.

Jamaica were struggling at one stage at 84 for six until Baugh arrived to launch his rescue mission. He added 93 for the seventh wicket with Nikita Miller, who scored 39, a partnership that put Jamaica on course for a respectable total.

Baugh has so far batted 193 minutes faced 154 balls and struck nine fours and a six.

Opener Danza Hyatt offered support with 53, but was sixth out with the score on 84, with Baugh just having arrived at the crease on four.

Kantasingh grabs six for 80

T&T's main weapon was the beanpole left-arm spinner Kavesh Kantasingh, who grabbed six for 80 on his debut for Trinidad and Tobago. Kantasingh, who has played first-class cricket in the past for Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC), picked up a wicket in his first over and proceeded to torment the Jamaicans.

T&T were left with only themselves to blame, as their fielders put down several catches, including three during the Baugh-Miller stand.

After heavy overnight and early morning rain delayed the start by an hour and a half, Jamaica made a stuttering start to their innings. When Brenton Parchment (six) edged a drive at Kantasingh and was taken at slip by Kevon Cooper at 20 for one, it started a rut that saw wickets fall regularly as fellow opener Donovan Pagon (four) and Brendan Nash (one) fell with a further six runs added.

Hyatt combined with captain Tamar Lambert (12) in a 54-run fourth wicket partnership to repair the damage, however.

AT KENSINGTON OVAL: Barbados, sent in by Guyana, reached 227 for five at the close on the opening day of their fifth round match yesterday. Scores: BARBADOS 227 for five (Kraigg Brathwaite 62, Omar Phillips 52, Jonathan Carter 50 not out; Brandon Bess 2-26, Veerasammy Permaul 2-50).