By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
OPENING BATSMAN Brenton Parchment struck the first century of the Jamaica Cricket Association's (JCA) practice matches at Melbourne Oval yesterday.
Parchment who made two first class appearances for Jamaica last season, scored an undefeated 122 and along with Leon Garrick, 57, led Nehemiah Perry's XI to 221 for one at the close against Robert Samuels' XI.
Batting for just over five-and-half hours Parchment struck nine fours and two sixes and had fruitful partnerships with Shawn Findlay (28) and Garrick 57 not out with two sixes and two fours in his 186-ball knock.
Parchment, a former West Indies youth team captain, said it gave him a 'very good feeling' to score a hundred again, but pointed out that it was a good pitch to bat on.
"I just went out and applied myself and the results showed at the end of the day," the former St. Elizabeth Technical High WILCO/Headley Cup player said.
The 20-year-old former West Indies 'A' player said he intended to continue in the same vain and hopefully score the first double of his career today.
"Come game time today I just want to continue where I left off and possibly go on to make a double (hundred)," he said. "It's a milestone I have been waiting on for a long time," said Parchment who reached his century with a single off legspinner Kevin Peart.
Meanwhile coach Robert Haynes said he was very pleased with yesterday's performances especially with the efforts of Parchment and Garrick, who was involved in an accident on Monday afternoon.
"Perry's XI reached 221 for one at the close and that's a very good score," a happy Haynes said. In any cricket 221 for one is a good score, this is what I am looking for in these practice matches where people will apply themselves and bat long.
"The pitch this morning had a little bit of moisture, the fast bowlers bowled with some pace but a few catches went down. However, these guys did not surrender their wickets they stood up and bat," Haynes explained.
Haynes said captain Samuels marshalled his bowlers very well but that did not stop Parchment, Shawn Findlay and Garrick.
Earlier Parchment and Findlay got Perry's XI off to a good start after Samuels' XI won the toss sent them to bat. The two posted 94 for the first wicket, before Findlay, a student at STETHS, pulled Nicarlo McFarlane (1-21) to Donovan Pagon at mid-wicket.
At that stage, Garrick joined Parchment and the two batted with a lot of determination giving West Indies Test pacer Darren Powell, Jerome Taylor, David Bernard, Ryan Cunningham and Kevin Peart nothing to smile about.
