SHAMAR COOKE made a timely return to form with an impressive 118 as Caribbean Lumber YMPC kept Old Brigand Dover in the field all day amassing a sizeable 303 for five from 72 overs after they were invited to bat.Cooke’s fourth ton at this level equalled his previous best against LIME and came two days before his 21st birthday. It was also achieved on the first occasion a Division One match was played at the Inch Marlow ground in Christ Church. His knock was decorated with 12 fours and one six and came in 234 minutes from 150 balls on the first day of third-round matches in the LIME Division 1 competition.Cooke shared in a splendid fourth-wicket stand of 146 with Ryan Wiggins. Wiggins hit a stroked-filled 68, spiced with five fours and two sixes off 119 balls before he was lbw to Jamar Phillips who also accounted for Cooke. The pair had joined forces immediately after lunch with YMPC on 126 for three, Cooke was then on 24.Cooke looked well assured on both the front and back foot and he timed the ball sweetly while playing shots in every direction. He brought up his landmark with a couple behind square. It took 214 minutes, from 132 balls and contained ten fours. The second 50 took just 42 balls as he raised the tempo. However, the former Barbados Under-19 batsman was stumped outside the off-stump off the day’s final delivery.Earlier, after the start of play was delayed by 15 minutes due to rain, openers Jed Yearwood and Steven Blackett posted 40 before Blackett (23), pushed forward to off-spinner Jamar Phillips (three for 69) and was taken at slip. Yearwood made a polished 62, including a number of lovely drives through the off-side from both pace and spin until he sliced a catch to point on the stroke of tea. He faced 104 balls, striking nine fours and one six in 134 minutes. He and Cooke put on a partnership of 61 for the third wicket.
