St. Jago's Damion Henry sweeps for four during his topscore 63 on the opening day of the Spalding Cup playoff at Melbourne Oval yesterday. - Junior DowieA BIG late afternoon collapse by Grace Shield winners St. Jago left Headley Cup champions St. Elizabeth Technical in charge of the Spalding Cup playoff at Melbourne Oval yesterday.
Openers Damion Henry (63) and David Lemmie (36) featured in a 105-run but then eight wickets fell for 28 runs as St. Jago ended the day on 133 for eight.
The destroyers for St. Elizabeth were spinners Wayne Simpson five for 26 and Nikita Miller two for 22. Badlight stopped play at 5.45, 15 minutes before the scheduled close.
Owing to overnight rain and seepage under the covers the start of play was delayed for approximately two hours.
After winning the toss and electing to bat St. Jago appeared set to put up a very big total as openers Henry and Lemmie dominated the STETHS opening bowlers hitting them to all parts of the field.
Captain Brenton Parchment introduced Nikita Miller, then himself, into the attack and they gradually cut the run rate but failed to separate the two openers.
The introduction of Simpson soon bore fruit as in his fourth over he picked up the wicket of Lemmie, bowled for 36. Nikita Miller continued to bowl well and got his reward when Henry went leg before wicket at 105.
The STETHS bowlers then took full control. Howard Edwards was caught and bowled by Simpson for one. Ryan Campbell was the next to go, caught by wicketkeeper Rayton Gayle for four off the same bowler. Nikita Miller then trapped Andre Rowe leg before wicket for a duck. Simpson then had top-batsman and National Under-19 player Danza Hyatt caught at first slip by Parchment for six.
Play resumes this morning at 10:30.
