The Jamaica Franchise kept their winning record intact when they handed the Leeward Island Hurricanes a four wicket defeat in their WICB Pro Cricket League four day round four match which concluded today at Sabina Park.
The Leewards team, resuming their second innings from the overnight score of 155-6, made a gallant effort through their lower order to score a respectable total of 313 runs on their second go,
The Jamaica Franchise, who started the day on 160-4, and needing just 35 runs to win on the final day made light work of the target, stretching their unbeaten home record and in the process handing kept the hurricanes without a win in their column.
At the start of the day Jamaica lost the night watchmen in John Campbell for 68 and David Bernard (50) with the space of two hours but bowler Nikita Miller and Wicket Keeper Carlton Baugh ensure that the local team was the one celebrating at the end of the final day play.
Miller hit the winning run to finish on, five not out, and Baugh, unbeaten on one, steadied the Jamaican ship to 195-6.
The outstanding bowling display of Damion Jacobs won him the man of the match award. He picked up eight wickets and with the bat contributed 41 runs in the win chase.
The final scores in the game reads Leeward Islands 103 & 313 and Jamaica 222 & 195-6. Jamaica Franchise 16 (3 bowling points + 1 batting point + 12 for victory), Hurricanes 3 (0 batting points + 3 bowling points).
Jamaica still remains in second spot on 50 points behind the Guyana Jaguars on 57, having defeated Trinidad and Tobago Red force in their match up, opening a seven point’s gap on the franchise team.
All did not settle well as the Leeward Island Hurricanes Coach Ridley Jacobs was left unhappy as his charges were said to have been given a different ball after tea that did not help them instead turned the match in Jamaica’s favour. He vows to take the matter to the relevant authorities to have it thoroughly investigated.
Round five will Jamaica will next battle the Guyana Jaguars at the same venue, on January 6, 2015 while the Leeward’s Hurricanes will come face to face with the Barbados Pride same day at Kensington Oval.
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