SANTA CRUZ, Jamaica – St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) were 38-2 at tea in response to Excelsior High’s 127 on the opening day of the rescheduled all-island ISSA GraceKennedy Spalding Cup cricket play-off at STETHS Sports Complex.

The not out batsmen for STETHS are Tyriek Bryan, on 24, and Shahari Jaddo, who is yet to get off the mark.

Earlier, hosts STETHS won the toss and opted to field first in the three-day clash to decide the all-island champions of high school cricket.

Excelsior openers David Dewar (19) and Jamare Daley (27) added 44 runs with relative ease but after that partnership was broken they lost wickets regularly and were dismissed in the post-lunch session.

Captain Demarco Scott offered the main resistance with a top score of 34.

Kevaun Brown led the STETHS bowling with 3-31, with solid support coming from Delantae Scott (2-17) and Adrian Silvera (2-30).

In overcast afternoon conditions, STETHS lost the wickets of Humaro Reid (14) and Odane Binns (0) before the break.

The Spalding Cup contest began a day later than originally scheduled after the ground staff failed to prepare the pitch and outfield in time.

Match officials and organisers eventually agreed to a Wednesday morning commencement to ensure no playing time was lost because of the embarrasing blunder.

– Sanjay Myers