West Indies middle-order batsman, David Bernard Jr produced a workman-like knock of 102 off 165 balls for Jamaica to leave the hosts in a competitive position at 339 all out against Ireland in the opening day of their three-day Jamaica Cricket Festival clash at Chedwin Park on Saturday.
Bernard Jr blasted 10 fours and a six, in his knock that lasted 202
minutes while getting support from Tamar Lambert (68) and Danza Hyatt (55) against Peter Connell who bagged 4 for 77 off his 11.5 overs for the Irish team.
The elegant batsman, who was dropped on 34 off spinner Paul Stirling, got to his century after just over two hours of batting by scampering a single after playing the ball onto the popping crease.
Earlier, captain Lambert secured his half century with a measured
shot over long off after a patient build-up.
Ireland were made to work hard in the field, on a pitch that seemed to provide little motivation for the bowling team.
The visitors did however experience early success with Brenton
Parchment being the first to go for the Jamaicans, after he was
caught by Trent Johnston on 31 off the bowling of Kevin O'Brien with the score on 56.
Donovan Pagon (21) and Hyatt pushed to score to 104 before the former fell to the bowling of Andre Botha; Johnston again providing the safe hands for the catch.
The Jamaicans added 11 runs for their next two wickets with Hyatt and Horace Miller (4), losing their wickets in quick succession to leave the hosts precariously poised on 115-4, shortly after lunch.
Lambert and Bernard Jr then steadied the ship with a partnership of 139 for the fifth wicket, but the Jamaicans collapsed after Lambert's departure; the batsman playing onto his own stumps, to trigger a domino effect which saw the Jamaicans losing their next five wickets for 84 runs.
The Irish will be buoyed by the fact that they managed to bowl out the Jamaicans and will be looking for an advantage on the second day on Sunday.
Connell was obviously the pick of the Irish bowlers, but he did
receive support from Stirling who claimed 2-45 with Kevin O'Brien
(1-29), Johnston (1-42) and Gary Kidd (1-44) all providing meaningful support in the 87.5 overs that were bowled.
