T&T-Leewards contest set for close finish

The contest between Trinidad and Tobago and Leeward Islands in Port of Spain was fascinatingly poised at the end of the third day. A collective bowling performance from T&T restricted Leewards to 201 and their lead to 182. Wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton top-scored with 70 and was aided by useful contributions down the order from Jason Peters, Justin Athanaze and Gavin Tonge who stretched a lead to a competitive level. Four T&T bowlers finished with two wickets each. Set a target of 183, T&T found themselves in a precarious position at stumps, at 75 for 5. Sherwin Ganga battled it out for an unbeaten 35, but the pair of Anthony Martin and Athanaze shared the five scalps to leave Leewards with the advantage.

Windward Islands and Barbados ended the third day at the Kensingtown Oval in Bridgetown on even terms. Andre Fletcher starred for Windwards with a century and was supported by Keddy Lesporis (50) and captain Liam Sebastien, who made 94. The three, through their partnerships, had put Windwards in a dominant position at 309 for 4 and the team looked good to secure a substantial lead. But Fidel Edwards struck for Barbados, helping nip out the last six wickets for 41 and limiting Windwards' lead to just nine runs. Edwards finished with 5 for 77, while Tino Best bagged three. In their second innings, Barbados were eight without loss. Windwards, however, having gained a first-innings lead, are in a good position to take six points in the event of draw, which seems like the likely result.

Only 40 balls were possible on the third day in the rain-marred encounter between England Lions and Guyana at the Providence Stadium. England Lions lost three wickets to finish the day on 68 for 3, only ten behind what Guyana managed in the first innings. Assad Fudadin picked up two wickets in three overs.

Jamaica's aim on the fourth day will be to secure a first-innings lead against Combined Campuses and Colleges at Spanish Town. Andrew Richardson and Odean Brown picked up four wickets each to bowl out CCC for 353. Nkruma Bonner top-scored for CCC with 87, adding 120 with the lower order. In the Jamaican reply, opener Danza Hyatt struck 53 but the CCC bowlers managed to pick up three wickets by stumps. Jamaica need a further 221 to gain the lead with seven wickets in hand.