NATIONAL player Nikita Miller pushed Melbourne CC to a commanding position against Zone D rivals Lucas at the Nelson Oval with a classy all-round performance on yesterday’s opening day of the Senior Cup.

The left-arm orthodox slow bowler snared 4-7 off 12 stifling overs to help bundle out Lucas for 110, and struck an unbeaten half-century as Melbourne replied with 275-4 declared to take first-innings honours. An outright win for Melbourne will secure a place into the quarter-final stage.

Scores: Lucas 110 and 17-3; Melbourne 275-4 declared.

Batting first, Lucas’ batsmen struggled against Melbourne’s spin-laden attack and were quickly dismissed. Off-spinner Shamar Anderson took 3-37 off nine overs, while wrist-spinner Damian Jacobs grabbed 2-26 off six overs and two balls.

Number 4 batsman Ramon Senior topscored for Lucas with 35, while Geoffrey Laing and tailender Markon made 18 and 17, respectively.

In Melbourne’s response, the openers Tarique White (52) and Jon Ross Campbell (51) shared in a rollicking stand of 108 for the first wicket to set the platform for a good total.

Middle-order batsman Andre McCarthy and Miller put together an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership worth 158 before the declaration. Medium-pacer Travis Reid took 3-64 off seven overs.

Miller tormented the Lucas batsman for a second time and has taken 2-4 in their second-innings score of 17-3.

Also in Zone D, Kensington snatched first innings from lowly Boys’ Town at UTech. Scores: Boys’ Town 114 and 15-4; Kensington 217-4 declared.

In another Zone D affair, hosts St Thomas are battling for first innings supremacy against Kingston at Good Year. Scores: Kingston 248; St Thomas 217-8.

Visitors St Elizabeth beat Hanover by eight wickets to top Zone A at Elgin Town. Scores: Hanover 123 and 118; St Elizabeth 162 and 82-2.

In the other Zone A match, Westmoreland took first-innings points from Trelawny. Scores: Trelawny 69 and 35-1; Westmoreland 72.

In Zone B, St Catherine CC took first innings from parish rivals St Catherine CA at Port Esquivel. Scores: St Catherine CC 218; St Catherine CA 31 and 105-5.

At Manchester High, the title-holders Manchester sealed top spot in Zone B and are sure of advancing after GC Foster failed to honour their fixture.

In a match of academic interest in Zone B, Kingston & St Andrew CA took first-innings against Clarendon. Scores: Kingston & St Andrew 350-8 declared; Clarendon 152 and 30-0.

In Zone C, leaders Jamaica Defence Force hold the advantage against St Mary at Up Park Camp. Scores: JDF 229; St Mary 153-8.

At the Folly Oval, St Ann charged to first innings honours against Portland.

Scores: Portland 141; St Ann 211-9.