Barbados in control after Jamaican collapse for 129

Rocked by a fierce opening burst from Fidel Edwards, Jamaica crashed to 129 on the first day against Barbados at the Three W's Oval. By stumps, Dale Richards (54 not out) had taken Barbados to 102 for 2, just 28 runs shy of claiming first-innings points.

Barbados made the best use of winning the toss and Edwards took the first two Jamaican wickets with no runs on the board. He soon followed with a third that made it three ducks for the top three batsmen and reduced Jamaica to 7 for 3.

Wavell Hinds and Marlon Samuels offered brief resistance before Dwayne Smith bowled Samuels for 36 and thereafter a steady fall of wickets ensued as Jamaica never recovered from the early rout and were dismissed for 129.

In reply, Barbados lost Wayne Blackman for 2 (9 for 1) but any Jamaican hopes of returning the favour evaporated as Richards dug in and scored a fine half-century. He put on an unbroken 51 runs with Ryan Hinds (24 not out) for the third wicket as Barbados ended the day in a commanding position.

On a day curtailed by bad light and rain, Krishna Arjune's second first-class century put Guyana in a strong position, as they ended the first day against Leewards Islands on 267 for 3 at St Maarten.

Arjune made the best use of the conditions after Guyana opted to bat and added 91 with Sewnarine Chattergoon (42) for the first wicket. Omari Banks gave Leewards their second wicket in quick time, after Chattergoon was run out, when he dismissed Narsingh Deonarine for 1.

But Arjune found steady partners and put on 67 with Ramnaresh Sarwan (38) and then steadily built the innings with Shivnarine Chanderpaul before cramps in the legs and arms forced him to retire on 116. Chanderpaul was unbeaten on 52 at close of play.