Honours even in ISSA-Grace Shield final

Excelsior High and Innswood High will both feel they have a good chance of claiming first innings honours heading into day two of their three-day urban area ISSA-Grace Shield cricket clash at Melbourne Oval today.

The Kirkland Bailey-coached Excelsior, who are seeking a second hold on the title, are 179 for six, 44 runs behind  Innswood's first innings score of 223.

Play is slated to resume at 10 a.m. with national youth player and captain, Raewin Senior, unbeaten on 58, and Danvil Wallistan, on  eight.

West Indies ICC Under-19 World Cup all-rounder, Jeavor Royal, bowling left-arm spin, opened the bowling and has so far claimed four for 53.

"I think the game is balanced at the moment," said Senior.

"The second day will therefore be very important, if not the most important, and our aim will be to try and win most of the sessions, if not all."

Three-time champions Innswood, who won the toss and chose to bat, were led by Jamaica Under-19 representative Carlos Brown who scored 76, and opener Mark James, who made 57.

This was against fellow national youth batsman, Kirk McKenzie who opened the bowling with his part-time off-spin and claimed five for 66.

Senior who also opened the bowling with his left-arm spin, ended with three for 88.

"Disappointing is how I would describe the opening day," said Innswood coach Kirk Gordon.

"After winning the toss on a placid Melbourne pitch, we were well-placed at  145 for two at lunch before losing our way.

"We then had them at one stage on the backfoot at 85 for five and after a missed chance, they were able to recover. We still have a chance to make a comeback in the first innings, and if not, we will have to give it our best shot in the second."