It was a welcome day for the bowlers on day one at the GNS Stadium as the Windward Islands were bowled out for 217 in 60.3 overs but did well to restrict Jamaica to 98-7 at the break.
Second-innings centurion Alick Athanze was in a great position to score his second first-class century but lost his wicket on 81 runs. Justin Greaves assisted with a half-century while Tevin Walcott (22) and Sherman Lewis (14) contributed the next highest scores.
Derval Green finished with 5-30 in 11 overs for Jamaica, supported by Nicholson Gordon and Jamie Merchant with two wickets each. Abhijay Mansingh took the other wicket.
Jamaica were tasked with 21 overs to finish the day but unfortunately, Leroy Lugh (16), Kirk McKenzie (4), Nkrumah Bonner (17), Paul Palmer (0), Mansingh (1), and Aldane Thomas (0) all failed to make their mark. The answer began horribly. All were dismissed within 11 overs and the team was reduced to 41-6.
Green (30*) and Merchant (24) staged an entertaining recovery to push Jamaica to 98 before the 7th wicket. Umpires ended the first day with Jamaica trailing by 119 runs when Merchant was dismissed.
Accordingly, on the second day, Jamaica scored 101 runs in reply to Windward’s first innings score of 217 runs. Justin Greeves is 6-34 in 10.3 overs.
Batting second, Windwards scored 298, with young Athanze, who was close to a century, dismissed for 97. Kaweem Hodge scored 82 runs in his support.
The Volcanoes lost a wicket at the end of the innings, and Jamaica need 408 to win with two days to go.
Athanze scored 81 off 111 balls in his first innings which included one six and 12 fours. Also, the 97 runs in the second innings came from 100 balls and included 15 sixes and one six.
His performances in the second round earned him a call-up to the South African Test squad, but he did not get a chance in the final XI.
WINDWARD ISLANDS VOLCANOES 217 (Alick Athanaze 81, Justin Greaves 50, Tevyn Walcott 22; Derval Green 11-3-30-5, Nicholson Gordon 2-26, Jamie Merchant 2-39) and
Second Inning 298 (Alick Athanaze 97, Kavem Hodge 82, Justin Greaves 33, Sunil Ambris 23; Patrick Harty 3-62, Marquino Mindley 2-44, Nicholson Gordon 2-59).