BATSMEN reigned supreme yesterday as Sagicor UWI and Super Centre Spartan battled for first innings honours.
The Parkites require another 193 runs and the students six wickets for first innings advantage.
Spartan were 177 for four in reply to UWI’s mammoth first innings score of 369 as the bowlers toiled on a slow pitch.
The students began the day on 265 for seven and proceeded to belt the Spartan attack.
Ryan Austin, who resumed unbeaten on 27, went on to score a belligerent 55 with seven fours and two sixes. He was severe on medium-pacer Andre Gill who he belted for six fours in one over with the new ball. Austin’s partner Gilford Moore smashed 86 with seven sixes and seven fours after resuming on 24.
In 12.4 overs after resuming on 265 for seven, UWI compiled 104 runs before they were bowled out for 369.
Spartan’s reply started disastrously as left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer had opener Nicholas Carter lbw without a run on the board.
However, Reydon Toppin joined Wayne Blackman and they put on 108 in a second-wicket stand which steadied the ship.
Blackman’s 65 was spiced with ten fours and a six as he showed his experience and technical ability against the pace and spin of the UWI attack almost totally made up of players with first-class experience.
After Blackman fell, Maradon Bend was bowled by Austin for a duck, leaving the Parkites on 115 for three.
Toppin continued steadily, striking seven fours and a lusty leg-side six off Kantasingh before he was brilliantly caught at mid-wicket to be Kantasingh’s second wicket for 63.
