ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, CMC:
WEST INDIES reserve wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jr. had a happy homecoming, hitting a purposeful second regional first-class hundred to lead Jamaica to first innings points over West Indies 'B' in their key fifth round match of the Carib Beer 2004 Cricket Series that ended in a draw yesterday.
Baugh hit the top score of 115 and shared an important fifth-wicket stand with captain Gareth Breese to lift Jamaica to 299 for nine, replying to West Indies 'B's first innings total of 242, when stumps were drawn for the final time in the match at the Stanford Cricket Ground located next door to the V.C. Bird International Airport.
Baugh used the occasion of a match in the hometown of regular West Indies 'keeper Ridley Jacobs to once more advertise himself.
He received essential support from Breese, whose contribution was 72, in a 200-run stand that lifted the visitors from the peril of 61 for five and took them past the 'B' Team's total much to their delight.
The result means the Jamaicans, last year's beaten Carib Beer International Challenge trophy finalist, move into third position on a 28 points, a mere one ahead of the development side, who now drops back to fourth place on 27 points.
After Jamaica continued from their bedtime position of 11 for one, they suffered an early setback when Jason Bennett bowled Keith Hibbert for five to leave the visitors on 16 for two.
Things seemed to come apart for the Jamaicans when Antonio Thomas claimed the three wickets that made him the most successful 'B' Team bowler. Mario Ventura was caught close to the wicket for 16, Tamar Lambert was caught behind for eight, and Dave Bernard, Jr was bowled for 20.
Baugh and Breese were just beginning to get into the swing of things when lunch arrived with Jamaica on 92 for five. But they took charge after the interval with some enterprising batting, punishing anything loose from the 'B' Team bowlers.
By the time Breese was run out by Thomas' smart bit of fielding, the Jamaicans had achieved their objective and the intrigue gradually subsided.
Jamaica face Trinidad & Tobago at Manchester, Jamaica, and West Indies 'B' are scheduled to meet Guyana at Enmore in the sixth round of matches.
