(JAMAICAGLEANER)It will take a bowling effort of enormous proportions as well as some hefty batting if Jamaica Franchise are to pull off a come-from-behind win against Barbados Pride in their final round West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) four-day encounter at Sabina Park today.
Dismissed for 228 in their first innings within the first half-hour of play, Jamaica's bowlers were again forced to work hard on yesterday's third day. At the close of play, Barbados were 168 for two, securing an overall lead of 250 runs.
not out on 78
Leading the way for the Barbadians is young West Indies Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite, not out on 78 after spending five and a half hours at the crease thus far, hitting seven fours.
Also getting among the runs were Omar Phillips, who made 59 and shared a 131-run opening partnership with Brathwaite, and first innings centurion Shamarh Brooks, who is not out on 21.
Fast bowler Jason Dawes, following up on his first-innings four for 57, ended the day with two for 28.
Barbados had scored 310 in their first innings.
"It was another tough day in the park, but I must give credit to my bowlers," said Tamar Lambert, Jamaica's captain. "To bowl 81 overs and restrict them to 168 for two, we couldn't really ask for a better effort, but to pick up a few more wickets.
"Tomorrow (today) is another big day and we would like to save the game, or even win it.
"We just have to condition our mind that whatever target they set, we think about it and take it from there."
moving forward
Carlos Brathwaite, vice-captain of Barbados - who, like Jamaica Franchise, are out of the title race - said his charges have done well thus far and a decision will be taken tomorrow as to how they will proceed.
"We have done well to put ourselves in a position where we can decide if we want to bat out the rest of the day or try to enforce the win," he said.
"It's a team decision, but I think either way the team and cricket will be the winner."
Earlier, Jamaica, resuming on 220 for nine, added just eight with pacer Marquino Mindley failing to add to his overnight 10 and Dawes left unbeaten on 20.
Mindley's wicket fell to young left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who, in the process, finished with a career-best eight for 72.
