BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) — Jamaica grabbed the initiative with a strong bowling performance when they bundled the Leeward Islands out cheaply, but had lost it by the end of the opening day of their WICB Regional First-Class game yesterday.

Behind fine spells from medium pacer David Bernard Jr (4-38) and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller (3-54), Jamaica restricted the Leewards to 188 all out at Warner Park after the hosts won the toss and opted to bat first.

However, rookie Test pacers Gavin Tonge and Lionel Baker grabbed a wicket apiece to reduce Jamaica to 39 for two at the close and set up an interesting tussle for first innings points.

Half-centuries from Runako Morton and Devon Thomas kept the Leeward innings from total collapse, after they had slipped to 52 for four in the morning session.

The right-handed Morton struck 60 from 119 balls with nine fours and a six, while Thomas stroked four fours and a six in scoring 52 from 100 balls.

Both batsmen shared in crucial stands to revive the Leewards at pivotal stages. Morton posted 51 for the fifth wicket with Omari Banks who got 39, to pull his side out of trouble at 52 for four.

Morton was first out when he edged leg-spinner Odean Brown to Shawn Findlay at first slip, paving the way for a 69-run, sixth wicket stand between Banks and Thomas.

Banks struck four fours and a six off 112 balls before he nicked Bernard behind at 172 for six to end the innings’ most productive partnership.

His dismissal triggered a collapse as Leewards lost their last five wickets for 16 runs. Thomas was among the carnage, caught at first slip by captain Tamar Lambert, attempting to cut Bernard.

Any thoughts Jamaica had of pressing home their advantage were quickly scuppered when they lost two quick wickets.

Findlay was first to fall for 11, brilliantly caught by a diving Anthony Martin at square leg off Baker at 23 for one, while Xavier Marshall edged Tonge to Morton at first slip eight runs later.

Scoreboard

LEEWARDS 1st Innings

K Powell b Powell 0

M Hodge b Bernard 0

R Morton c Findlay b Brown 60

T Willett c Bernard b Miller 5

*S Liburd c Miller b Findlay 5

O Banks c wkp Baugh b Bernard 39

+D Thomas c *Lambert b Bernard 52

G Tonge c Findlay b Miller 5

J Athanaze lbw b Bernard 0

L Baker b Miller 2

A Martin not out 0

Extras (b4, lb10, nb6) 20

TOTAL (all out, 72.3 overs) 188

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-13, 3-46, 4-52, 5-103 6-172, 7-172, 8-179, 9-185, 10-188.

Bowling: Powell 10-5-34-1, Bernard 16-6-38-4, Findlay 9-3-16-1, Miller 29.3-11-54-3, Brown 8-1-32-1.

JAMAICA 1st Innings

X Marshall c Morton b Tonge 13

S Findlay c Martin b Baker 11

D Pagon not out 11

D Powell not out 2

Extras (nb2) 2

TOTAL (2 wkts, 16 overs) 39

To bat: *T Lambert, B Nash, W Hinds, D Bernard Jr, +C Baugh Jr, N Miller, O Brown.

Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-31.

Bowling: Baker 5-1-14-1, Tonge 7-1-17-1, Martin 3-1-6-0, Banks 1-0-2-0.

Toss: Leewards.

Umpires: L Abraham, R Bailey.