Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Australia-born Brendan Nash plays behind square during his innings of 85 for Tamar Lambert's XI against Chris Gayle's XI in Jamaica's practice match at Kensington Park yesterday, while wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh ducks to avoid being hit. Gayle's XI won the match by six wickets. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
AUSTRALIAN BRENDAN Nash, captain Chris Gayle and Shawn Findlay scored half centuries as Jamaica continued their preparations for the KFC regional one-day tournament with a practice match at Kensington Park yesterday.
Nash, 29, who represented Queensland in Australia, but decided to relocate to the Caribbean with an aim to play for the West Indies, was impressive in making 82.
The left-hander, who hit five fours and a six in his innings, shared in two important partnerships, 44 for the second wicket with Danza Hyatt, 44, and 77 for the third with Tamar Lambert, 32.
The knock helped Lambert's XI to 219 for nine off their allotted 50 overs after electing to bat.
top bowlers
Daren Powell and Gayle with 3-33 and 3-44 respectively were the top bowlers for Gayle's XI, who replied with 220 for four in 40.2 overs.
West Indies Under-19 pacer Jason Dawes supported them with 2-36.
In their turn at bat, Brenton Parchment, 16, and Gayle, 58, gave their team a fairly good start, putting together 55 for the opening stand.
After Parchment left, Findlay, 59, and Gayle, who hit seven fours and a six, added 57 for the second wicket before Gayle retired out.
Findlay struck two fours and four massive sixes in his innings while, towards the end, Carlton Baugh chipped in with 44, which included four fours.
Hyatt (1-14), Andre Creary, who could be representing the West Indies Under-19s in the tournament ,(1-27) and Andrew Richardson (1-56) were the wicket-takers.
The final practice match will be played at the same venue today, after which, the selectors are expected to announce the 14-man squad for the tournament.
Jamaica open their quest for their first one-day title in eight years against the Leeward Islands at Providence in Guyana on October 17.
