Marshall cuts loose to score 125

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

After missing out on a century in the second trial match, opener Xavier Marshall came good yesterday with a shot-filled 125 in the third and final Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) regional four-day trial match at Melbourne Oval.

Looking like his old self, Marshall, who made 69 in the second trial match at Melbourne, slammed 19 boundaries and three sixes in just over two hours as Tamar Lambert XI, batting first, closed the first day on a healthy 348-5.

Pacer Daren Powell, 53 not out, and wicketkeeper/batsman Carlton Baugh Jr, 47 not out, will resume batting today after surviving a fiery spell of fast bowling in late afternoon from fast bowlers Andre Russell and Jason Dawes.

determination

"I felt I gave away my hand in the second trial match as after reaching my 50 I played a poor shot. Today, having reached that landmark, I was determined to make it count, and it did," said Marshall, who is looking to regain his spot in the team after being dropped midway last season due to poor form.

He added: "It felt good to bat from the start of the match until tea, which is what I have been trying to do since the trials started."

The St Ann Cricket Association batsman now joins Tamar Lambert, Brenton Parchment and Wavell Hinds as batsmen who have scored centuries in these trials.

First-time invitees Zeniffe Fowler and John-Ross Campbell made 47 and 1, respectively, while Shawn Findlay, 8, and Lambert, 46, were the other wickets to fall. West Indies youth all-rounder Nkrumah Bonner, with 2-31, captured most wickets.

"It was another good day batting-wise. Xavier was positive throughout and he was rewarded," said national coach Junior Bennett.

"As it relates to the bowling, it was not as bad as the scoreboard is reflecting, as on a flat wicket, fast outfield and small boundary it is not too bad a total."

The current 24-member squad will be reduced to 18 for the tournament, following the match.