Captain Kraigg Brathwaite narrowly missed out on a century while left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican grabbed three wickets, on the second day of “Best v Best” the four-day match on Tuesday. Replying to Roston Chase XI’s 326, Brathwaite’s XI ended on 242-5 with the right-hander top-scoring with 95. 

Kavem Hodge struck a compact unbeaten 59 while left-hander Paul Palmer ended on 31 not out on a placid surface at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. Warrican claimed the best figures of 3-52 off 23 consecutive overs, including the key wicket of Brathwaite, who was stumped by the alert Jahmar Hamilton.

Resuming from 280-7, Chase’s XI passed the 300-run mark courtesy of a 50-run, eighth wicket stand between Jermaine Blackwood and Imran Khan. Blackwood, on 18 at the start of the day, made 34 off 64 balls with five fours. Imran Khan, started on three, struck three fours and a six in 24 off 32 balls.

Left-arm seamer Preston McSween snatched two of the three wickets to fall to end with 4-64 – he had Blackwood bowled with a full length inswinger and Imran caught and bowled. Teenaged fast bowler Jayden Seales, who did not bowl on Tuesday, finished with 3-42.

In reply, Brathwaite then inspired a string of partnerships. Firstly, he put on 76 for the second with Shamarh Brooks (19) as his side reached the lunch break on 55 without further loss. The skipper played attractively, stroking 12 fours and a six off 156 deliveries and 3-¾ hours at the crease, dominating a 67-run fourth wicket partnership with Hodge, who then Hodge found an ally in Palmer to add 55 in an unbroken sixth wicket stand.

The right-handed Hodge has so far counted six fours off 160 balls in just under 3-¼ hours while Palmer’s stay has so far lasted an hour and included four fours.

The match resumes on Wednesday at 10am (9am Jamaica Time).

-CWI