ST.GEORGE'S, CMC:
EX-WEST Indies wicket-keeper/batsman Junior Murray thumped his seventh first-class hundred as the Windward Islands dominated Jamaica on the third day of their Busta Cup first round match at Queen's Park yesterday.
At stumps, the Windward Islands, replying to Jamaica's first innings score of 178, were 349 for eight - a healthy lead of 171 - with Olanzo Jackson not out on 23 and Kenroy Peters on one.
The 32-year-old Murray hit 105, and with Devon Smith (84) and captain Rawl Lewis (45), led the flogging of the Jamaican bowlers, sparing only the off-spinner Gareth Breese, who returned the tidy figures of three for 82 off 43 overs.
After play started early (9.30 a.m. East Caribbean Time) to make up for lost time Saturday when rain allowed only one of play, the Windwards -- 47 without loss overnight -- used the morning session to make further inroads in the Jamaica first innings total of 178.
Smith, the exciting 20-year-old left-hander, and Rommel Currency registered a century opening stand and although two wickets fell with the score on 103, the Windwards comfortably moved towards the first innings advantage.
Seamer Laurie Williams earned two quick leg-before-wicket decisions to remove Currency (38) and Kester Sylvester (0), but the majestic Smith and Murray prevented further damage before the break and moved the score to within 39 runs of the Jamaica total, at 139 for two.
It was smooth sailing after the interval for the Windwards as Smith and Murray had steered their side to within 10 of the Jamaica score when Breese claimed the precious wicket of Smith.
Smith's 295-minute innings contained 11 fours and he was bowled (played-on) by the former West Indies youth captain as the Windwards slipped to 168 for three.
The stylish 31-year-old St. Lucian John Eugene heaped more frustration on the Jamaicans with an attacking 30, counting five fours and one six, 86 per cent of his scoring shots coming in boundaries.
Murray and his captain Rawl Lewis took the Windwards to tea at 224 for four, 46 runs ahead of the visiting Jamaicans.
Murray, who has been unable to regain a West Indies spot since the 1998/99 tour of South Africa, faced 172 balls for his century and struck nine fours in front of his home fans, while his Grenada teammate Lewis also delighted the crowd with his near half-century knock.
Breese eventually removed both batsmen -- Murray caught by Audley Sanson behind square as he attempted to sweep, and Lewis by Parchment at mid-wicket.
Their fifth-wicket partnership was worth 89 runs and Murray was pleased that he successfully tempered his usual aggression.
"It was a good effort on my part, not the way I normally bat, I played a disciplined innings today, very selective with my shots," he told CMC.
Murray, who played 31 Tests for the West Indies, is also harbouring thoughts of a Windwards victory today although much time has been lost in the game to rain.
"We could force a win, it will depend on how well we bowl," he said.
Deighton Butler (13) went lbw to off-spinner Ricardo Powell, and Sanson got a leg-before decision against Kirsten Casimir (1) in Jamaica's other successes of the session.
Jamaica 1st innings 178
Windward Islands 1st innings
(overnight 47 without loss)
D.Smith b Breese 84
R.Currency lbw Williams 38
K.Sylvester lbw Williams 0
+J.Murray c Sanson b Breese 105
J.Eugene c wkp Hibbert b Powell 30
R.Lewis c Parchment b Breese 45
K.Casimir lbw Sanson 0
O.Jackson not out 23
D,Butler lbw Powell 13
K.Peters not out 1
Extras (b4, lb3, nb4) 11
TOTAL (for 8 wickets) 349
Fall of wickets: 1-103, 2-103, 3-168, 4-222, 5-311, 6-311, 7-314, 8-340,
Bowling: Sanson 21-7-47-1 (1nb); Lawson 20-3-60-0 (3nb); Breese 43-9-82-3; Powell 20-3-69-2; Williams 21-4-72-2, Parchment 2-0-12-0.
Toss: Jamaica
Umpires: Glenroy Johnson, Nainoll Macum
