Jermaine Blackwood continued his rich vein of form when he plundered his second century in the current series against the hapless Bangladesh ‘A’ team at Kensington Oval yesterday.
In so doing, he placed his team, Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre, on the brink of victory at the close of the third and penultimate day.
Faced with the mammoth target of 490 runs for victory, Bangladesh ‘A’ were tottering on 32 for three at the close in the face of some hostile bowling from pacers Sheldon Cottrell (two for 14) and Miguel Cummins (one for 14).
With the home side already in the ascendancy at the start of play yesterday, Blackwood made sure there would be no hiccups as he fashioned a cultured 147 to enable the HPC to declare their second innings at 354 for five.
Starting the day on 24 without loss, Bangladesh ‘A’ had early success removing opener Chadwick Walton lbw to left-arm spinner Taijul Islam for 20. The score was then 29 and for the next three hours, it was virtually the Blackwood parade. He joined opener Assad Fudadin, who made a well-played 89, and they teamed up in a second-wicket partnership of 207 runs.
Blackwood, the main aggressor, never allowed the Bangladesh ‘A’ bowlers to settle. He found boundaries with consummate ease, reaching his 50 off 42 balls, then his 100 off 123 balls, with nine fours and three sixes.
Fudadin was content to allow Blackwood to dominate. He lent subtle support along the way and duly reached his 50 off 175 balls with four fours.
When Blackwood was dismissed, stumped by wicketkeeper Hasan off spinner Shuvagoto Hom, he had smashed 12 fours and five sixes in a knock that lasted 182 minutes.
Fudadin failed to reach his century when he reached for a wide ball outside the off stump from pacer Mukter Ali and was caught behind. He hit seven fours and a six.
When the declaration came Leon Johnson was left not out on 63, having struck six fours and a six in a breezy knock.
