Jamaican pacers spark Kiwi batting collapse

Trelawny (Jamaica), June 4 (IANS/CMC): The Jamaican pace trio tore their way through New Zealand's second innings to send them tumbling in a spectacular late afternoon batting collapse here on the second day of their three-day practice game.

Christopher Powell, Derval Green and Nicholson Gordon grabbed seven wickets as the visitors plunged to 65 on the second day of their three-day tour game against Jamaica select XI at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Complex here Ton uesday, reports Xinhua.

Green grabbed three for 10, Powell two for 17 and Gordon two for 23 in the final session of play adding to New Zealand's woes following a tough opening day in which they struggled to 203 for nine.

However, the bright spot for the Black Caps was the bowling of leg-spinner Ish Sodhi whose consistent spell engineered the destruction of Jamaica Select XI's first innings.

Sodhi took four quick wickets after lunch to finish with figures of five for 35 from 11.5 overs as the Jamaicans declared on 122 for nine, replying to the visitors' 203 for nine declared.

Opener Kennar Lewis top scored for Jamaica with 30; Cassius Burton contributed 27 while John Campbell whipped in with 24.

The home side was off to a poor start after Trent Boult made an instant breakthrough by removing opener Horace Miller LBW in his first over without scoring.

Play started half an hour earlier than the scheduled 10am start due to yesterday's last session being lost to rain.