Gripping opening day of Grace Headley Cup semis
Former champions Manchester High School were 12 without loss in reply to defending champions St Elizabeth Technical High School’s (STETHS’s) 188 all out on day one of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Grace Headley Cup cricket semi-final at the STETHS Sports Complex in Santa Cruz.
Asked to bat following a prolonged delay caused by a wet pitch, the Carl Wright-coached STETHS were cruising at 64 for no loss before losing all 10 wickets for 124 runs.
All-rounder Kevoni Graham, batting at six in the order, top scored with a battling 79-ball 47 which included five fours.
A last-wicket partnership of 31 between Roshawn McKenzie, who was run out for 34, and Demetri Binns, not out on zero, was a huge boost.
Openers Tyriek Bryan (31) and Kdvaun Brown (34) provided the early platform.
For the Barry Barnes-coached Manchester, off spinner Barrington Simpson, bowling with admirable accuracy, took four for 39 and leg spinner Mathew Morgan (2 for 57) undermined the STETHS batting.
Manchester High openers Morgan (nine) and Ukelle Broomfield (one) were at the crease when bad light stopped play with an over remaining.
In the other ISSA Grace Headley Cup semi-final clash, Clarendon College reached 62 for two replying to May Day High School ‘s 287 all out on day one at May Day in Mandeville.
Chadwick Hewitt (84), Sanjay Martin (65) and Mark Barrett (34) led the May Day batting.
Spinner Kenardo Cameron (6 for 74) and pacer Dijuani West carried the fight for Clarendon with the ball.
Jamaica Under-19 pacer Nashane Mead (2-27) made early inroads but Clarendon College battled stoutly to the close.
Jovennie Palmer (14) and Tequan Roberts (23) are to resume the fight for Clarendon College on Thursday’s second day.
— Garfield Myers