THE RUST AND COBWEBS evident on Day 1 are gone now and today it is down to real business.
The second day of the opening round of the Courts/Suzuki Division 1 cricket competition promises a mixed bag.
A few teams will be benefiting from the return of national players who were in Antigua for the West Indies training camp.
Ricky Hoyte, the left-handed wicket-keeper/batsman is back to strengthen the ICB Empire side, West Indies opener Sherwin Campbell leads Sports & Games YMPC, Floyd Reifer offers BET explosive batting, and Pedro Collins lends firepower to Cockspur Wanderers. Places were left open for the quartet by their clubs.
Empire start the day on 67 for one and only need another 36 for first innings lead over Mount Gay Maple. They will be looking to Hoyte and West Indies player Roland Holder to push them close to the 300-mark.
Hoyte, who has five centuries at Division 1 level, said he would be looking for a big score. He noted, however, that the team came first and personal goals might have to take a back seat.
“The situation in the game is most important, and I will be hoping that performance counts as well,” he told Sun On Saturday.
Campbell returns with YMPC still five wickets away from dismissing Spartan, who resume on 189 for five. His batting will be the key to whether or not the new-look YMPC outfit can challenge the Parkites’ eventual total.
The powerful batting of Reifer will come in handy for BET if they plan to continue on from 283 for four against ESA Field Pickwick.
Collins, Wanderers’ main bowling strength, will be immediately pressed into action when he arrives at Blenheim. His side are on the hunt for wickets as BCL resume on 45 for four in pursuit of 121 for first innings lead.
SUMMARISED SCORES
At Trents: Mount Gay Maple 102 (Andy Payne 42 not out; Jimmy Small 3-30), ICB Empire 67 for one.
At St. James Secondary: CHIC Schools North 265 (Antonio Mayers 79, Pedro DePeiza 47, Carlo Morris 45; Peter Thompson 5-41) vs United Carlton.
At College ‘A’: CHIC Schools South 186 (Kurt Wilkinson 68, Franklyn Stephenson 57; Emmerson Sealy 5-44). Police 20 without loss.
At Blenheim ‘A’: Cockspur Wanderers 121. BCL 45 for four.
At the Brewery: Banks 193 (Julian Beckles 5-59) BNB St. Catherine 10 without loss.
At Wildey: BET 283 for four (Brian Johnson 116, Courtney Browne 100) vs ESA Field Pickwick.
At Queen’s Park: Big B Spartan 189 for five (Corey Yearwood 63, Rowehan Walcott 42 not out) vs Sports & Games YMPC.