By Tym Glaser, Associate Editor - Sport 
Jamaica captain Robert Samuels' off stump goes flying after he was bowled for eight runs by the Windward Islands' Deighton Butler at Sabina Park
yesterday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
JAMAICA'S HOPES of adding some more silverware to the trophy room took a major step backwards as the Windward Islands gained complete control of their Carib Beer Series clash at Sabina Park yesterday.
When the fixtures were drawn up, the Jamaica brains trust would have chalked this encounter down for the full 12 points. However, after two sultry days at 'Bina, the hosts have surrendered first innings points and are staring down the barrell of an outright loss.
At stumps yesterday evening, the visitors boasted an overall lead of 173 runs with all second innings wicket intact and six sessions of play remaining to build a sizeable lead and then push for victory.
Jamaica, after a shoddy performance in the field on the opening day, started brightly yesterday and wrapped up the remaining three Windwards' wickets with a minimum of fuss for the addition of a mere 17 runs to face a first innings' points chase of 281.
Centurymaker Kester Sylvester (113) added only two to his overnight tally while impressive medium pacer David Bernard claimed five scalps for 56 runs and veteran spinner Nehemiah Perry returned the flattering figures of four for 69 off 32 overs.
Jamaica were hoping for a solid start on the user-friendly pitch but former Test paceman Cameron Cuffy put paid to that in emphatic style.
In no time at all the brittle but talented quick had sent the relatively inexperienced trio of Brenton Parchment (0), Donovan Pagon (nine) and debutant Maurice Kepple (0) back to the sanctuary of the dressing room; the first two comprehensively bowled and Kepple trapped leg before facing his first delivery at the regional first-class level.
From then onwards, the host side was unable to establish any worthwhile partnership as the Windward Islands' pace bowlers plugged away at a consistent line and length and the spinners found some turn.
Young Bernard, who appears to be growing in stature at this level, compiled 30, Mario Ventura top scored with 41 and Perry (21) and Daren Powell (16) made useful lower order contributions as Jamaica scrimped and scraped to 144 all out.
With a dangerous seven overs to face before stumps, Devon Smith (23 not out, 1x6, 4x4) and Romel Currency (13 not out, 3x4) went on the attack and put on a brisk 36 with more in the offing today.
Despite Jamaica's dire situation, coach Robert Haynes was still optimistic of a positive result for the hosts.
"I must give the Windwards credit because they showed our bowlers how to bowl on a slow wicket," Haynes said. "We have to go back to the drawing board and think about what we have to do but this game is wide open.
"They are leading by about 170 runs but I believe if we can bowl them out for about 150 tomorrow it's game on."
Haynes also had few qualms about an inexperienced top three being exposed to a rampant Cuffy instead of an experienced player such as Ventura who entered the fray at six.
"These are guys who have batted at these positions before and if you are going to be selected you have to play cricket. I don't believe in shielding people," he said.
