Brooks and Bend revive Spartan

A section of the crowd that took in the action on the opening day of the local derby between arch-rivals Spartan and Empire. (Kenmore Bynoe)

By by PHILIP HACKETT at Queen’s Park | Sun, August 19, 2012 - 12:04 AM

A third-wicket century stand between Shamarh Brooks and Maradon Bend helped Super Centre Spartan reach a satisfying 251 for eight after being invited to bat by ICBL Empire yesterday.

Brooks led an effective recovery job after Spartan slumped to 11 for two but fell agonizingly short of his second century of the season when he drove a delivery from leg spinner Nikolai Charles to Brandon Best at point, having made 90.

Brooks, who became the first batsman to tally 500 runs this season when he reached 76, struck 11 boundaries and faced 176 balls in an innings that lasted 259 minutes.

He and Bend added 109 for the third wicket in 112 minutes, a partnership that ended when Bend edged off spinner Roston Chase to Empire’s captain, Jamal Smith, at slip.

Chioke Payne (13) and Brooks put on 53 for the fourth wicket but the dismissal of Payne, bowled by left-arm medium pacer Ian Perryman, triggered a mini-collapse in which three wickets fell for 22 runs.

When Brooks was dismissed towards the end of the day, coach Dave Marshall (15 not out), playing his first match of the season, guided the lower order to help the home team earn a third bonus point to balance the three taken by Empire.

Perryman, with three for 35, is the most successful bowler so far, while Charles took two for 73.