Brian Johnson struck a magnificent undefeated 137 to earn LIME a hard-fought but vital first innings lead which gives them a stranglehold on the BCA’s Intermediate trophy going into today’s final day.
LIME were 273 for seven, in reply to Rocklyn Hardware Isolation Cavaliers’ 268 at the close of the penultimate day of the four-day final at Desmond Haynes Oval yesterday.
The veteran Johnson has been at the crease for 5 ½ hours, faced 228 balls and has counted 13 fours and a six. He and Wesley Straker started the day on 24 and 41 respectively with LIME on 73 for three.
After some early worries, they blossomed and extended their splendid fourth wicket partnership to 159 in 44.2 overs. They had joined forces late on day two with LIME on nine for three.
Straker played the sheet anchor role, while Johnson was the main aggressor. He was struck on the forearm by one of the many short balls from Ryan Clarke but, that apart, kept the bowlers at bay. He hit the first six of the day, pulling a short ball from Hallam Bryan over deep backward square.
He also had some wonderful drives through the off-side for a couple boundaries.
Captain Johnson brought up his half-century with a single to mid-on. It came in 124 minutes from 93 balls with three fours and one six.
Eventually, the breakthrough came 14 minutes before the tea interval when Straker was lbw to Oneal Holder for a fighting knock of 79. He batted for 193 minutes, faced 139 balls and hit 13 fours and a six.
At the break, Johnson was unbeaten on 78 and Chad Batson nought, with LIME on 171 for four.
Batson, hooking at Clarke was brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Jahbari Doughlin, who initially started to go down the leg-side but switched direction and caught the ball diving to his right after it came off Batson’s gloves.
With the total still on 187, Johnson was dropped on 89 at slip by Reneldo Holder off Holder. However, he moved into the 90s with a pull for four through square-leg off Clarke.
Dave Estwick also got in the act, pulling Clarke disdainfully over mid-wicket for six.
Johnson went to 99 with a boundary to mid-wicket in Clarke’s next over. He reached the treasured landmark four balls later, lofting Clarke to long-on for three. It took 184 deliveries and was decorated with nine fours and a six in just over four hours.
Johnson and Estwick added a precious 66 for the sixth wicket. Estwick made 31 including four fours and a six, before he was caught behind off the second new ball with 16 runs still needed for the lead.
Clarke, who finished with four for 87, then trapped Kevin Callender lbw at 254 for seven.
Johnson levelled the scores with a boundary to mid-off in the last over and then achieved the lead off the next ball that sailed over the slips for another four from a top-edged hook. He then took off the helmet and gleefully saluted fellow players and supporters.