- Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
Donovan Pagon of Robert Samuels' XI plays forward during his unbeaten innings of 127 against Nehemiah Perry's XI in the Jamaica Cricket Association's (JCA) third practice match at Melbourne Oval yesterday. Wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jr. looks on.
Anthony Foster, Freelance Reporter
WEST Indies 'A' team representative Donovan Pagan completed an undefeated century as batsmen continued to dominate the Jamaica Cricket Association's (JCA) third and penultimate practice match at Melbourne Oval yesterday.
Pagon who made one appearance for the West Indies 'B' (Under-23's) against Guyana last year hit 127 for Robert Samuels' XI to close the day on 246, this replying to 454 all out earlier made by Nehemiah Perry's XI.
On a batsman-friendly pitch, fast bowler Audley Sanson, who has represented Jamaica five times at the regional level took all three wickets to fall for 53 runs off 20 overs.
Pagon who represented the West Indies Under-19s at the 2002 Youth World Cup completed his century after the tea interval, hitting off-spinner Tamar Lambert over long-off for six.
The right-handed Pagon, a graduate of the Shell/West Indies Cricket Board Academy, has batted for 510 minutes while facing 225 deliveries. He has so far struck nine fours and a six.
Pagon said it is always a good feeling to score a hundred and especially with his team facing a challenging total of 454.
"We just decided to bat as long as possible and make use of the bad deliveries when they came," Pagon said.
"The pitches weren't the best to bat on in the first two practice matches, however, with this pitch conducive to stroke playing I had to make use of it," he added.
The Melbourne player said he will be looking to have a another fruitful stay at the wicket today. He will resume with David Bernard who is unbeaten on eleven.
The 28-year-old Sanson, who has been around for quite a while removed Maurice Kepple - caught by Lorenzo Ingram at gully, during a superb six-over spell with the new ball in which he struck Pagon and David Bernard Jr. on their helmets. Kepple's was the only wicket to fall yesterday.
Selector Lyndel Wright said the final squad of sixteen will be selected after the final match.
"Our responsibilities with regard to the selection of the squad, will be concluded on January 12," Wright, who is also the team manager, said.
According to him the selectors have indicated that they will wait until the final practice match before marking down any names.
He went on to say that it is very pleasing to see the young players stepping up to the challenge at this level.
"I am happy to see young Brenton Parchment (200) and Pagon getting good scores. It is a good thing for Jamaica's cricket.
"The bowling has been consistent and young Taylor (5-53) certainly bowled very well on the second day," the manager noted.
