Openers lead Windward's strong reply

Devon Smith and Tyrone Theophile gave Windward Islands a strong start as they sought to overtake Jamaica's strong first-innings score of 392. Earlier, an unbeaten fifty from Nikita Miller lifted Jamaica after the side were struggling at 266 for 6.

Both Smith and Theophile were given reprieves early and they capitalized on that. Smith struck eight fours in an unbeaten 66 off 94 balls, while Theophile was not out on 44 off 98 as Windward progressed to 113 in 32 overs.

Jamaica, who resumed on a strong 232 for 3, had an early stutter in the fifth over of the day when Tamar Lambert was dismissed by Kenroy Peters. A few overs later, they were 266 for 6 after Mervin Mathew had Carlton Baugh and David Bernard out in successive overs. Things looked even shakier when overnight batsman Andre McCarthy fell for 62 with the score on 304.

Miller steadied the innings in the company of Damion Jacobs and the pair added 57 runs for the eighth wicket to haul Jamaica past the 350 mark. Sheldon Cottrell pushed their score to 392 before he became Shane Shillingford's second wicket.

Miller, who helped Jamaica achieve a tricky target of 167 against Barbados in the semi-final, said he had learnt from Nkrumah Bonner and Jermaine Blackwood, who had added 179 on the first day.

"In the last match I had to stand up and help take the team across the line along with David Bernard," Miller said. "I have been working hard in the nets and trying to make a contribution when I go to the crease. Bonner and Blackwood played well for us early and I looked at the way they played and took some notes from that."

Miller also said that Jamaica would put in a better fielding effort on the third day, as they look to break Windward's opening stand.

"What happened this evening here was not acceptable from a Jamaica team - 113 runs from 32 overs is not good," Miller said. "The first half hour tomorrow is very, very vital. We will have to be come out and do a better job.

"I believe once we come out and bowl the right area and take our chance we will rebound. Devon got a chance when he was on zero and the other opener Theophile got a chance when he was little or nothing, so it will be very important for us to take our chances. We will have a meeting to sort that out before we start tomorrow."