Half-centuries?from Shawn Graham and Kodi Phillips complemented a penetrative bowling partnership between Kemal Sealy and Vataly Wilkinson as leaders ICBL Empire took the upper hand against LIME on the first day of their LIME?Elite fifth series match yesterday.
Replying to LIME’s 62 all out of 26. 2 overs, Empire closed on 179 for nine off 46 overs.
Fielding a second string team because of the club’s upcoming 100th anniversary tour to England, Empire looked as imposing a unit as they have all season after putting LIME in to bat on a soft pitch.
Left-arm spinner Sealy led the destruction of the middle and lower order with impressive figures of four for 10 from 7.2 overs.
Wilkinson, a right-arm fast-medium bowler took three for 19, bowling all of his victims in an energetic seven-over spell. LIME captain Randy Thomas (30) was the only batsman to reach double figures.
The experienced Graham led an effective fightback after Empire slumped to 34 for four, finishing unbeaten on 59 off 104 balls in 150 minutes at the crease. He has so far struck five boundaries.
Graham and opener Kodi Phillips (52) added 65 for the fifth wicket and then left-handed all-rounder Tennyson Roach smashed 30 off 27 balls in a partnership of 41 with Graham in just over half an hour.
Last man Andre Evelyn (ten not out) and Graham have so far put on 29 for the tenth wicket, helping the home side to earn two valuable batting points.
Off spinner Jason Hinds has taken four for 57.
