New Delhi: West Indies cricket time traveled to the seventies as 25 wickets fell on a single day of a 4-day domestic league match in Kingston, Jamaica – 24 of those to seamers.
The mayhem took place on Day 2 of the Jamaica Vs Leeward Island match played for WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4 Day Tournament.
The land of Courtney Walsh, Kingston, Jamaica was known for its bounce and carry but after renovation in the 2007 World Cup the surface lost its past glory and has subsequently turned slower.
However, very few would believe that after what transpired here on Sunday. The fateful day saw none of the two teams crossing the 100 run mark as medium pacers from both sides wrecked havoc.
Winning the toss, Jamaica opted to field first (play was called off on Day 1 without a ball being bowled) in the day/night fixture. Their decision worked wonders as former West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor took 5 wickets to bowl out Leeward for 71.
Six players from Leeward were out for a duck. The 140 kg gentle giant Rahkeem Cornwall top scored with 29.
In reply, Jamaica were in for an even lower score as their innings ended for 56 inside 30 overs. Only two batsmen crossed the double figure mark. Jeremiah Louis returned with staggering figures of 4 for 4 in 10 overs with 6 maidens.
Things worsened when Leeward lost another 5 wickets for 31 in their second innings before stumps. Taylor picked up 2 wickets and all-rounder Rovman Powell, picked up by Knight Riders for IPL 10 chipped in with a couple.
The only spinner to take a wicket was Jamaica’s Nikita Miller.
At the end of Day 2 Leeward lead by 46 runs which seems a defendable total going by the pattern of the match.