SPIN bowlers dominated the opening day of the two-day Jamaica cricket practice match at Sabina Park in Kingston.
Yesterday, Nkrumah Bonner’s XI had first strike and got off to a decent start, but a staggering batting collapse saw them falling from 59 without loss to 120 all out.
  Fast bowler Andrew Richardson (left) looks on as Horace Miller (centre) and Zeniffe Fowler sneak a run in yesterday’s two-day practice match at Sabina Park. (PHOTO: BRYAN CUMMINGS)
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Wrist-spinner Damion Jacobs took 4-18 off nine overs and four balls, while left-arm finger spinner Christopher Lamont grabbed 4-36.
In reply, Paul Palmer’s XI laboured to 56-4.
Scores: Bonner’s XI 120 (54.4 overs); Palmer’s XI 56-4 (28 overs)
Bonner’s XI openers Kenar Lewis and Jon-Ross Campbell added 39 and 22, respectively.
But the dismissal of Lewis triggered a steady procession of batsmen to and from the pavilion.
Bonner (0) and Campbell soon followed Lewis as the batsmen struggled on a Sabina Park surface providing plenty of turn for spinners. Some deliveries from the quicker bowlers also kept low.
Danza Hyatt, who was the last man dismissed, made 29, while wicketkeeper/batsman Aldaine Thomas added 20.
Palmer (zero) was among four batsmen sent packing as his XI had a faltering reply.
Opener Zeniffe Fowler top scored with 18, while Delbert Gayle and Wayne Morgan are unbeaten on seven and four, respectively.
Pacers Andrew Richardson and Jason Dawes have taken two wickets apiece.
National coach Junior Bennett told the Sunday Observer that the batsmen let themselves down, albeit on a testing pitch.
“The strip was not a perfect one, but they could have batted better on it. If you look at both innings, the respective openers got starts, but the teams didn’t capitalise on either.
“Yes, the ball did spin from early but that wasn’t an excuse for poor batting. The shot selection was extremely poor, but I’m not taking anything away from the bowlers. The pitch was supportive and they put the ball in the right areas and reaped rewards,” Bennett said.
The Jamaica squad is preparing for the upcoming Super50 and Four-day regional tournaments.
The 50-overs tournament, to be held in Trinidad & Tobago, begins in late January. The Four-day competition is scheduled to commence the following month.
