http://www.windiescricket.com/Article.asp?ID=263965

MORTON SHINES FOR LEEWARD ISLANDS BUT JAMAICA STRENGTHEN GRIP


NAIN,Jamaica

Runako Morton completed his second hundred of the season for the Leewards Islands,but Jamaica strengthened their grip on the Final Challenge of the Carib Beer 2005 Cricket Series with his dismissal off the last ball of the day at Alpart on Sunday.

Morton batted resolutely to score 103, his fifth regional and career hundred,to lift the Leewards to 227-6 in their second innings when stumps were drawn on the third day,after the visitors had dismissed Jamaica for 372 to concede a first innings lead of 192.

The 24-year-old Morton hit half-dozen fours and four sixes from 241 balls in just over five hours to help the Leewards continue their fight back, but clearly showing signs of fatigue, he lazily offered no stroke to the first ball of the day's final over from left-arm spin bowler Nikita Miller and was adjudged lbw.

Morton was part of two half-century partnerships that helped the Leewards' recovery effort. He added 66 for the second wicket with opening batsman Junie Mitchum, who scored 38, and 97 for the third wicket with the Leewards captain Sylvester Joseph,who made 53.

Miller has been the pick of the Jamaica bowlers with 3-64 from 25.1 overs,taking his tally of wickets to a season-high 39.

Leewards had fought gamely to reach 151-2 at tea. But the complexion of the match was transformed,when Joseph carelessly tried to loft a delivery from Miller over the top and was bowled to leave his side 180-3.

This brought the long-standing Stuart Williams to the wicket for his last innings in first-class cricket.

His 16-year career in which he achieved the distinction of becoming the highest scorer in the West Indies first-class competition ended on a disappointing note,when he was adjudged lbw to Gareth Breese for a "duck" in the next over.

Cornwall stalled the Jamaicans for about half hour, but he was run out for the second time in the match,when he failed to beat Wavell Hinds' direct hit at the bowlers' end from mid-on. He made 11.

Just when it appeared that the Leewards might make a fist of it with Morton and Ridley Jacobs looking to bat through until the close, Miller made the breakthrough to remove the century-maker and, probably, the Leewards' hopes.

Earlier,the Leewards needed just under half-hour to complete the demolition of the Jamaica first innings.

Off-spin bowler Omari Banks was the most successful Leewards bowler with five wickets for 126 runs from 44.3 overs, and Adam Sanford supported him with 3-92 from 27 overs.

The home team,who continued from their bedtime position of 357-8,lost Taylor in the first over of the day,when he was adjudged lbw to Banks for one.

Tamar Lambert,who captained Jamaica to five straight wins in the first half of the season before Hinds replaced him,managed to complete a half-century before Kerry Jeremy brilliantly caught him left-handed on the long-on boundary for 52 off Banks. He batted 2-1/4 hours,faced 121 balls, and hit one four and one six.

Leewards then reached 56-1 at lunch,after they suffered the early set back of opening batsman Shane Jeffers being dubiously adjudged lbw to fast bowler Dwight Washington for eight.

Morton and Mitchum confidently batted through the interval to consolidate the Leewards' innings,they struck the ball crisply, particularly Mitchum,who hit a couple searing square drives off Dave Bernard Jr.

Mitchum however,departed in the first hour after lunch, when Miller bowled him,as he moved down the pitch to drive and was deceived by the flight of the ball.

For the remainder of the afternoon period, Morton and Joseph defied the Jamaica attack,mixing sound defence with aggression to carry the Leewards to 151-2 at tea,but things soon fell away after tea.

Jamaica were on the verge of a Carib Beer final victory at Alpart after Runako Morton, who struck his second hundred of the season and grittily stood in the bowlers' way, was dismissed on the last ball of the third day,they ended on 227-6,still only 35 ahead of Jamaica.

Morton, 24,cracked six fours and four sixes in his knock and, along with Sylvester Joseph,rescued Leewards from a precarious position. Morton first added 66 for the second wicket with Junie Mitchum, who made 38, before the 97-run stand with his captain, Joseph (53). Leewards were well-placed at 151-2 at tea but Joseph's dismissal triggered a mini collaspe,Morton fell at the stroke of stumps,lbw to Nikita Miller,the left-arm spinner,and Leewards were staring at a defeat.

Earlier,Jamaica's last two wickets added only 15 runs as Omari Banks,the offspinner completed a five-wicket haul.

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