Taylor and Gayle lead Jamaican charge

Jamaica 94 for 1 (Gayle 56*) trail Leeward Islands 180 (Jeffers 53, Taylor 4-31)
Scorecard

Chris Gayle got Jamaica off to a fluent start with an unbeaten 56 © Getty Images

Jamaica took charge of the Carib Beer Cup finals at St Elizabeth, dismissing Leeward Islands for just 180, and then knocking off 94 of those runs for the loss of just one wicket on the opening day.

Wavell Hinds, the Jamaican captain, won the toss and chose to field, and his bowlers responded magnificently, with Jerome Taylor taking four wickets and Nikita Taylor, the left-arm spinner, picking up three. Shane Jeffers, the Leewards opener, hit six fours in his 53, but none of the other batsmen offered much resistance. Stuart Williams, the most successful batsman of the tournament, shaped up well in making 35, but Gareth Breese got that crucial wicket, and when Taylor dismissed Jeffers in the next over, all hopes of a Leewards fightback were scotched.

Jamaica's reply got off to a splendid start, with Hinds and Chris Gayle adding 85 for the first wicket. Hinds was dismissed just close of play for 26, but Gayle finished up with an unbeaten 56, as Jamaica ended the day well on top.