In Charlieville Central Trinidad, he is known as ‘Sharky’ and yesterday the Jamaicans understood why, as Imran Khan ripped apart their batting to leave them 173 all out in their first innings of their third round WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) clash at the Queen’s Park Oval in Portof- Spain. Left with 22 overs to bat out the day, the Red Force closed on a sorry 59 for five. Pacer Sheldon Cottrell playing this game before he leaves for West Indies duties in South Africa operated like a one man army, taking four of the five wickets to fall.
The left hander who is here to prove his fitness ahead of the Windies tour accounted for Lendl Simmons (14), Yannick Ottley (0), nightwatchman Daniel St. Clair (3) and Stephen Katwaroo (0), while a terrible mix up saw the end of Evin Lewis for 25. However, the day belonged to Khan and as the evening tide came in, he took over and men accustomed eating ackee and saltfish were on the menu. He enjoyed the offerings, finishing with 6/52, to follow his 6/13 in the last match against the Leewards. After Tamer Lambert (87) and Dave Bernard (65) had rescued their side from a perilous six runs for four wickets, to take them to 157 for five at tea, Sharky took over. In a brilliant spell of 4-1-5-5, he brought the Jamaicans to their knees, as they lost their last six wickets for 16 runs after the break.
The Alescon Comets all rounder now has 195 First Class wickets to his credit. Earlier, Emrit lost the toss for the first time this season and Lambert decided to take first strike. The decision immediately backfired, as the visitors lost four wickets with the score on six. Richards and Emrit cutting the ball both ways off the freshly prepared pitch created havoc and men from moving back and forth between the pavilion and the pitch in a hurry. Four wickets fell in the space of 27 balls, without a run being scored. The casualties were John Campbell (0), Shacaya Thomas (2), Nkurmah Bonner (0) and Andre McCarthy (0). Richards was very good and grabbed three wickets, while Emrit who bowled equally well took the other. Lambert then came out and showed that he had made a correct decision but digging in, together with Bernard.
With the pitch drying out in the beautiful weather, the effectiveness of the seamers dulled and the two who have played a combined 202 First Class matches, brought their experience to the fore. They slowly got their team out of the trouble and when the lunch van pulled up, the beefy Lambert and Bernard strode off with the score at 82 for four. Just before the break though Lambert was dropped at first slip by Lendl Simmons off Emrit on 42. After the interval it was more of the same, with the Jamaicans playing well within their means and gathering runs in the process. Lambert brought up his 22nd First Class fifty in 114 minutes off 79 balls with five fours and three sixes. Bernard followed soon after getting his in 167 minutes off 112 balls with seven fours. Emrit tried everything he could to separate the pair and it finally came from his trusted leg-spinner Khan. The right hander who passed a fitness test just before play struck with the score ar 151—ending a partnership of 145 runs for the fifth wicket. Lambert made a big heave to the onside and got a top edge that flew to Richards at extra cover. His innings lasted 202 minutes and contained ten fours and three sixes over 146 balls faced
OTHER RESULTS
At National Stadium: Windwards lead by 63 runs with seven wickets intact.
LEEWARD ISLANDS 116 (Austin Richards 44; Liam Sebastien 5-39, Alston Bobb 4-31)
WINDWARD ISLANDS 179 for three (Devon Smith 83 not out, Sunil Ambris 33; Jeremiah Louis 2-27)
At Guyana National Stadium: Barbados trail by 257 runs with all 10 wickets intact.
GUYANA 261 (Anthony Bramble 73,
Shimron Hetmyer 47, Rajendra Chandrika 34; Ryan Hinds 4-50, Dwayne Smith 2-20, Jomel Warrican 2-52)
BARBADOS 4 without loss.