SANTA CRUZ, Jamaica – Excelsior High were 16 without loss in their second innings, still trailing Tyriek Bryan-inspired St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) by 185 runs when afternoon rain intervened in the rescheduled all-island ISSA/GraceKennedy Spalding Cup cricket match on Thursday.

A torrential downpour at STETHS Sports Complex caused umpires to call an early tea break at 3:02 pm. Eventually they decided no further play was possible for the day due to further spells of light rain and wet bowlers’ run-up.

The recent GK General Insurance rural area Headley Cup at the venue was similarly affected by rain, with STETHS emerging champions after securing first-innings honours over Manchester High.

The same will happen in the Spalding Cup contest if no outright victor emerges.

Earlier, left-hander Bryan made a monumental 239 as STETHS were bowled out for 328 in their first-innings reply to Excelsior’s 127 on Wednesday.

Scores: Excelsior 127 and 16-0; STETHS 328.

Bryan, a Jamaica youth player, batted with immense patience on Wednesday and added more attacking intent on Thursday to end with 24 fours and eight sixes off 319 balls.

Bryan’s double hundred is said to be a record high score in Spalding Cup history.

He shared in a 156-run, fifth-wicket stand with Kevaun Brown (31).

Excelsior’s bowling was led by Nicoli McKenzie who took 6-93.

The Spalding Cup contest began Wednesday, a day later than originally scheduled after the ground staff failed to prepare the pitch and outfield in time on the heels of the Easter holiday period.

Match officials and organisers eventually agreed to reschedule the start to ensure no playing time was lost because of the embarrassing foul-up.

— Sanjay Myers