Mandeville , Manchester — Inspired by all-rounder Andre McCarthy, defending champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) changed gear to take control of their ISSA/Grace Headley Cup cricket final against Holmwood Technical High here yesterday.

Scores at the end of the second day of the three-day contest at Manchester High School: STETHS 183 and 132 for three; Holmwood Technical 179.

The fast-medium McCarthy first showed impressive control and skill with the old ball to take 5-30 from 19.1 overs as Holmwood were dismissed four runs short of the STETHS first-innings score. McCarthy got good support from the off-spinner Nigel Palmer with 4-56.

Then McCarthy, having walked to the crease at number three, was unbeaten at the close on 44 (four fours, 78 balls), as STETHS, batting a second time, attacked the Holmwood spinners in an afternoon session which was interrupted by a 45-minute rain break.

Nigel Palmer, not on out one, will resume with McCarthy on today’s final day with STETHS holding a second-innings lead of 136 with seven wickets in hand.

Resuming yesterday at 70-2, needing another 114 runs to overhaul the STETHS first innings, Holmwood’s Andre Smiley (not out 38 overnight) and Daren Small (not out 1) battled through most of the first hour before McCarthy broke through with the score 97-3.

Bowling a full length and finding swing, McCarthy removed Smiley’s off stump as the right-hand batsman played no shot. The stockily built Smiley, a Jamaica age-group batsman, had hit seven fours and two sixes in his 92-ball knock.

Smiley’s dismissal proved pivotal as the last seven Holmwood wickets fell for 82 runs to the pace/spin combination of McCarthy and Palmer. There was high tension as the Holmwood last-wicket pair of Taggroy Walker not out 19 and Tyrique Sealy (six) fought admirably in a stand of 26. But McCarthy held his nerve to trap Sealy Lbw and give STETHS first-innings advantage.

Arguably the play of the match came with the dismissal of Jermaine Lindo (15) by Palmer. The left-handed Lindo swung powerfully at a delivery lined at his pads and struck the ball with the middle of the bat. There were gasps of amazement as Odane Thompson at square leg leapt high and wide to his left to catch the streaking ball with both hands.

When STETHS batted a second time, the loss of Jerome Jones (11) and Romario Moxam (21) lifted Holmwood’s spirits. But the tall right-handed Zavier Burton, who stroked 40 (six fours, one six, 43 balls) and McCarthy — both Jamaica age-group players — attacked the Holmwood spinners in a stand of 55 to maintain the STETHS dominance on the day.

Tian Jarrett (1-48), Shamar Smith (1-14) and Taggroy Walker (1-32) were the wicket takers for Holmwood Technical.

— Garfield Myers