Sat | May 11, 2024

Kingston turns the screws on Senior Cup final first day

Published:Sunday | April 28, 2024 | 12:11 AMLennox Aldred - Gleaner Writer
Kingston CC batsman Kirk McKenzie (centre) plays a pull shot to bring up his half-century against the Jamaica Defence Force on the opening day of the JCA Senior Cup final at Sabina Park yesterday. Looking on are bowler Kevin Daley (left) and wicketkeeper
Lennox Aldred Photo
Kingston CC batsman Kirk McKenzie (centre) plays a pull shot to bring up his half-century against the Jamaica Defence Force on the opening day of the JCA Senior Cup final at Sabina Park yesterday. Looking on are bowler Kevin Daley (left) and wicketkeeper Ryan Harris.

KINGSTON CRICKET Club hold the upper hand heading into today’s final day of the Jamaica Cricket Association Senior Cup final against the Jamaica Defence Force, following opening day action at Sabina Park yesterday.

After posting a first-innings score of 251 all out, Kingston CC have the army men in a precarious position at 58 for four, still 193 runs behind with six wickets in hand.

The day began with the JDF winning the toss and asking the ‘Tigers’ to take the first strike. That decision looked good early Javaughn Buchanan went lbw to national compatriot Andrae Dennis for four. Then Geordae Seymour was caught off Dennis for nine at 22 for two.

Another national batsman, Kirk McKenzie, then steadied things for the Tigers with a solid knock of 83 from 128 balls, including 10 fours and five sixes.

The left-hander looked comfortable against the JDF attack before he played over one from Dennis and was bowled with the score on 167 for four in the 46th over.

His batting partner Brad Barnes also helped himself to a dogged half-century, facing 97 balls and hitting eight fours, before he was well caught in the deep off spinner Dennis Bulli for 57.

Wicketkeeper Romaine Morris played one of his usual cameos to spruce up the Kingston innings, contributing 44 from 48 balls with five glorious fours and two towering sixes.

A flurry of wickets stunted the Tigers’ innings as they folded for 251 with off-spinner Tevin Gilzene bagging five for 60 and Dennis ending with three for 33.

In their turn at bat, the JDF got off to the worst possible start as Andre Bailey bowled Joel McDonald for a duck and then number three batsman Najay Williams went plum in front to Bailey, also for a duck at six for two.

Gilzene hit one-four in getting to 11, but he fell to pacer Carlton Green to leave the army men in trouble at 31 for three.

Captain Kevin Daley’s was the last wicket to fall just before the close for six to leave the soldiers stuttering at 58 for four with opener Andre Fowler not out on 22 and Gordon Bryan 11.