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Kevin Pietersen has said that England’s encouraging performance so far in the one-day series is a sign of better things to come for England as a one-day team. England are leading the seven-match series 2-1 after their comprehensive 42-run victory in the third ODI at Edgbaston, which also marked the first time England have scored in excess of 280 in three successive games.”In the nearly three years I’ve played for England there have not been many mornings when you wake up thinking ‘we could win a one-day series’ – and a big series at that,” Pietersen said at the launch of an Urban Cricket arena in Birmingham. “In three games we have scored around 900 runs and I haven’t played in an England team that could say that.”England have had mixed fortunes as a one-day side in the last year. They had a slow start to the CB Series in Australia earlier this year before edging out New Zealand and beating Australia 2-0 in the finals. However, they failed to maintain their momentum in the World Cup, despite making the Super Eights. Against India, they’ve been particularly impressive in the field and the top order has shown consistency.Pietersen singled out the performances of Alastair Cook, Chris Tremlett and Ian Bell. Cook scored his maiden ODI century in the first match at the Rose Bowl and has been getting the side off to good starts. Bell followed his ton in the first match with two half-centuries while Tremlett has chipped in with vital wickets at Edgbaston after being taken to the cleaners in the second ODI at Bristol.”In the last three games we’ve got guys like Alastair Cook, who we know can play, scoring a hundred, and guys like Ian Bell starting to fulfil his potential,” said Pietersen. “He [Tremlett] had taken some stick and not started too well but he’s a wicket-taker. I know from facing him in the nets at Hampshire it’s not fun facing somebody who bowls from seven-and-a-half feet.”Pietersen shrugged off concerns over his own form with the bat after failing to convert his starts. After his breezy unbeaten cameo 33 at the Rose Bowl, he scored 25 and 9 in the next two matches, though he pointed out that it didn’t matter as long as the team was winning.”I’ve always said no matter how many runs I score if England are winning that’s when I’m happiest. Right now I’m happy. The hundreds I’ve scored are in losing causes…they’re good for stats. But everyone wants to be in a winning dressing room.”Pietersen gave due credit to Piyush Chawla, the legspinner who dismissed him on both occasions. He referred to an instance in a 2005 Challenger Trophy match in India where Chawla shot to prominence after getting Sachin Tendulkar stumped with a big legbreak.”You can play in the nets against spinners from the subcontinent who can make you look like a bit of a clown because they’ve got variation,” he said. “Fair play to the bloke. One of the reasons he’s here is because he knocked [Sachin] Tendulkar over in a trial game a couple of years ago. He’s a good little bowler.”

Lunch England 83 for 4 (Vaughan 10*, Flintoff 4*) vSouth Africa A
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsCharl Langeveldt grabbed three wickets in six overs to give South Africa Athe upper hand at lunch on the first day at Potchefstroom, as England weregiven a timely reminder of the step-up in class that awaits them ahead ofnext week’s first Test at Port Elizabeth. After being asked to bat first,Andrew Strauss gave England some early momentum by cracking an even 50,but two quick wickets just before lunch left Michael Vaughan and AndrewFlintoff needing to engage in some damage limitation.By lunch, England had reached 83 for 4, in a session that posed morequestions than answers, especially after Mark Butcher had missed out forthe second innings running.Butcher missed much of last summer through injury, but was preferred inthis match to Robert Key on the strength of his international performancesover the past three years. But, following his 6 from 12 balls atRandjesfontein on Wednesday, he lasted just seven more deliveries, beforewafting a simple catch to Mark Boucher behind the stumps, to giveLangeveldt a wicket with his sixth ball of the morning.Boucher was another man with much to prove after his omission from SouthAfrica’s Test squad, but he enjoyed a far more auspicious morning, with ahand in both wickets to fall. His first victim was Marcus Trescothick, whotook 11 balls to get off the mark and had scratched his way to 7 from 43deliveries by the time he fenced a lifting delivery high to Boucher’sleft, to give Ethy Mbhalati a deserved first wicket.Strauss, however, was in fine fettle and needed little time to get intohis stride. He opened his account with two flowing cover-drives, andfollowed up with a square-drive and a pull for four, all off Mbhalati. Hehad one scare on 25, when a inswinging bouncer from Charl Willoughby allbut brushed his gloves, but he responded with a high and handsome cut forfour, and reached his fifty from 68 balls with a push for two through thecovers off Langeveldt.But with lunch approaching, England’s innings floundered dramatically.Strauss was served up a juicy wide delivery, which should have been his11th four of the morning, but was instead plucked at point by JustinOntong. And then, after facing three just three balls, Graham Thorpe wasadjudged lbw to a full delivery, again off Langeveldt. It could have beeneven worse, but Flintoff somehow managed to edge his first delivery cleanthrough the gap between the keeper and Andrew Puttick at first slip.England 1 Marcus Trescothick, 2 Andrew Strauss, 3 Mark Butcher, 4 Michael Vaughan (capt), 5 Graham Thorpe, 6 Andrew Flintoff, 7 Geraint Jones (wk), 8 Ashley Giles, 9 Simon Jones, 10 Matthew Hoggard, 11 Steve Harmison.South Africa A 1 Andrew Puttick, 2 Martin van Jaarsveld, 3 Ashwell Prince (capt), 4 JP Duminy, 5 Justin Ontong, 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Albie Morkel, 8 Alfonso Thomas, 9 Charl Langeveldt, 10 Ethy Mbhalati, 11 Charl Willoughby.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

If Lord’s can somehow escape further rain there will be a positive outcome to this intensely fought match. England hold the upper hand after a dazzling century from Kevin Pietersen set India 380 despite RP Singh’s career-best five-wicket haul. Dinesh Karthik glued India’s chase together with a gutsy half century, but England have already removed Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, trapped lbw by Monty Panesar who nearly finished his celebrations in another postcode.The contest didn’t take a significant swing to either side until Pietersen exploded in the hour after lunch, taking 29 balls to move from 62 to his century, adding 119 with Matt Prior. He is never one to hold back, but there was raw emotion on display as he enjoyed his hundred, suggesting that he’d answered a few questions following recent reaction to his comments about fatigue. He also gave England a healthy advantage – only three times has more than 380 been chased down in a Test.India began more positively than in the first innings with Karthik dealing in boundaries for his first 20 runs and both he and Wasim Jaffer eager for the quick singles. Michael Vaughan, who has been at his most thoughtful and inventive as captain throughout the match, tinkered with the field and Jaffer obliged by clipping James Anderson to Pietersen at midwicket. Karthik might have gone in the same fashion next over, but Vaughan had pushed the man deeper and Karthik eventually reached his fifty, off 101 balls. He and Sourav Ganguly survived a few scares, particularly from Panesar, but posted a vital fifty stand.Dravid completed a low-key match with the bat, although was unfortunate with Simon Taufel’s decision after he was struck outside off stump by Chris Tremlett. The ground then stood, not for the outgoing Dravid but for the incoming Tendulkar. It was probably his final Test innings at Lord’s and a delicate early drive off Panesar and a more powerful repeat off Anderson suggested he wanted to finally leave a mark on the ground.But Panesar was already into a good rhythm, looping the ball nicely from the Nursery End and finding turn not only from the foot marks. However, it was a smart piece of deception that did for Tendulkar as, almost in a repeat of Panesar’s first Test wicket at Nagpur, he sent down an arm ball. Tendulkar initially shaped to leave and was struck in line with off stump. Steve Bucknor did the rest and Panesar was half way to the boundary before his team-mates caught up with him. After earlier witnessing an almost angry celebration from Pietersen, Panesar’s was sheer joy.Pietersen’s innings is worthy of match-winning status, coming as it did after England had wobbled against a sharp spell from Singh. Vaughan was swung out before both Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell fell to the short ball as three wickets went for 30 in six overs. Pietersen began the day on 15 and had to be watchful throughout the first session but two boundaries off Singh’s first over of the afternoon session showed his intent and he raced through the nineties by taking Anil Kumble to the cleaners. He cut a short ball to the cover fence, lofted a handsome six towards the media centre and reached three figures with a wristy flick through midwicket. The one-legged flick through midwicket also made an appearance and Pietersen’s few days of R&R appear to have worked wonders. Of the 205 runs England added, 119 came from Pietersen’s bat.

Prior played an important hand, remaining in Pietersen’s shadow except for the occasional reminder that he, too, can take an attack apart. The seventh-wicket stand, scored at nearly five an over, was exactly what England hoped Prior would bring to the side in such a position with a match in the balance. It took a cracking delivery from Zaheer Khan to end the stand, the ball moving late to take the outside edge, and Zaheer was on a hat-trick as Tremlett unluckily dragged on to complete a debut pair. However, India’s body language showed they knew the situation had run away from them.It was very different during the morning as, for the second time in the match, Singh’s switch to round-the-wicket caused Vaughan’s downfall. After edging a drive wide of second slip Vaughan got an inside edge as he drove again – this time the ball swinging in – and lost his off stump. Collingwood, after avoiding a pair, found himself in a tangle against Singh’s well-directed bouncer. The short ball has been used sparingly in this Test and Collingwood was slow to react, gloving to VVS Laxman at second slip as he tried to duck.Singh’s short spell with Leicestershire earlier this season didn’t set pulses racing with eight wickets at 31 in two matches. The past few days, though, he has caught England’s batsmen by surprise with his pace and has shown the ability to move the ball both ways. He dismissed Bell through a dragged-on pull, from a ball which didn’t bounce as much as the batsman expected, and returned to close the innings with the scalps of Pietersen and Panesar.However, India were still left with a daunting target. The loss of two key players made the task even tougher but they battled hard during the final session. All results are still possible and a dry final day is what this absorbing match deserves.

As a Cricket Umpire of Karnataka State Cricket Association Bangalore in India, I state that Muralitharan is out “RUN OUT” as the ball is not dead. So the umpire’s decision is absolutely correct. Murthy
The run-out of Murali, exhibits much of what makes cricket so much less today. If winningis so important that the “spirit” of sport is violated, then watch the diminishing live crowds and TV audiences and wonder no more. Shame on the Kiwi’s. SHAME, I switched channels. Patrick Welcome
Murali was clearly out. NZ did the right thing, this is not a charity match. Let alone how many matches he has played, the moment you represent the country you become a pro. He should have known that the ball was not dead. Sledging is not fair, but this is absolutely fair, within the rules of the game. Karthick KrishnanI’ve just read of Murali’s unfortunate runout while congratulating his partner on his 100. How cruel is that? Couldn’t the umpires have exercised some discretion and leniency as they did when Tony Greig ran out Kallicharran on his way to the pavilion at the end of the day’s play? Vidhyasagar
The run out of Murali was an absolute shocker.. I didn’t expect that from Fleming who in my view is the best captain in the world. Murali grounded his bat and went to congratulate Sangakarra. Even the umpire was walking towards the other end.. It was obnoxious on NZ’s part. Vivek Chhajer
Any Kiwi who ever whinges about the Chappell brothers and the one-day “underarm” incident, should be forced to watch the disgusting actions of Brendan Mccullum in “running out” Murali in the second innings of this test. Doing no more than congratulating his batting partner, and this keeper chooses the most unsportsmanlike action to end the innings. It’s not the first time he has brought the game into disrepute with this underhand method of stealing a wicket. Fleming should have shown appropriate leadership and decry the actions of his team-mate and called the batsman back. But not from this Kiwi team. Disgusting is the only thing I can say. Wayne
It is perfectly correct the way New Zealanders ran out Murali. There is nothing wrong in their part. There is no question of spirit of cricket coming into play here. Murali, who had played more than 100 Test matches, should be knowledgeable enough to know that he can’t walkout of the crease before the ball is dead. Bob Jacobs
It is not fair to get somebody out just for leaving the crease to congratulate the colleague who made a ton under difficult circumstances. New Zealanders, this is not cricket. Rajeendra
Murali gets out again in a bizarre fashion. He surely must be holding the record for most “weird” dismissals. I remember this one particular instance when he was running, and he kept his bat on the ground to grease it. The thing is he had kept his bat on the ground a meter away from the crease. And was running with the bat rubbing against the ground…and just before reaching the crease line. his bat got stuck unto something in the ground and fell. the wicket keeper pulled the bails off and he was given out. He was also give out for jumping in the air when the ball hit the wicket. Basically he’s one of the most exciting batsman in world cricket today 🙂 cos something or the other happens with him around.Murugan
I felt that NZ should have been sportive and let Murali play. It was not a great way to get him OUT. S.Fleming should have displayed sportmanship spirit! N Viswanath
Murali should not have left the crease but anyone could have seen clearly that he went to congratulate his mate. It is very unsportsmanlike like for a team that has been very sporty for a long time to run out Moral at the end. Anyway it shows that how people act under pressure. Good luck kiwis to win at any cost Dim
Murali should have known better. Laws are laws. NZ did absolutely nothing wrong. Sri Lanka would have done the same if they were in NZ position, i.e., tailender holding up an end.Carl Mason
I think it is Murali’s mistake to turn to greet his partner even before the ball is dead.Bala
Murali should know better. It’s a gentlemen’s game but teams also play to win.Rahul
I think that it is justified, if they did not wait for the dead ball to be called, should we let them off. Expensive lesson, but hopefully they learn it well.David
In my mind, Murali should have known better. The keeper is watching the ball come in, so if he notices the batsman leaving his crease while the ball is live, then his next instinct is to take the bails off when he receives the ball. He doesn’t know whether Murali is going for a run or not. At this level, it surely can’t be hard to put your bat in the crease until the keeper has received the ball.Jeff Moen
Clearly Murali thought it was ok to walk to Sangakkara since umpire Jerling himself started walking down the pitch. The umpire was in no position (walking down the pitch) to rule Murali out or even tell him get back. Nuwan
It may be the rule, but it’s definitely not the true spirit of the game. There are many instances where a player can be sent to the dressing room without a regular dismissal, but good players don’t do that. For example, if a batsman picks up the ball and hand it over to a fielder, we don’t see appeals. But I am truly disappointed with New Zeeland on this incident. Win or Lose but you need to keep the spirit of the game! Roshan Rupasinghe
Murali’s run out: He should have known better, but it is clearly bad sportsmanship. Everyone knew he wasn’t trying for another run. NZ have been the better team – this may well spoil a well earned victory. Steve Miller
No question, Murali was out. Even at club level, you always make sure the ball is dead before you leave your crease. He switched off and Sri Lanka paid the price. Jez
Shameful. Murali was clearly on his way to congratulate his partner, after grounding his bat. In the laws of the game, but certainly not something that adds to its decency. Chris
Talk of Mural’s dismissal being against the spirit of the game is a joke…how many times do we see batsman refuse to walk in situations they must know they have edged a catch? There are numerous examples of (particularly Australians!) grounding catches! and personal insults in the form of sledging … I mean the spirit of the game is nonsense at international level there’s no room for sentimentality and none given which is why no one should bemoan a fair and legitimate wicket which could mean the difference between victory and defeat for New Zealand. Jeff
I am an SL supporter. But based on what I saw on cricinfo, Murali should have known better- and he should not have left the crease. But having said that cricketing authorities have not been consistent. Under a very similarly situation (ball being not dead ) Kallicharan was run out Tony Greig. But authorities reversed the decision to avoid possible riots and harm to Tony. Pooji

Crispen Tsvarai and Bruce Makovah have revealed the reasons they quit Zimbabwe Cricket in an interview with the Zimbabwe Independent.The departure of Tsvarai, who was head of ZC’s technical and player welfare committee and chairman of the Bulawayo Metropolitan province, led to yesterday’s press conference where Themba Mliswa outline dhis plans to remove Peter Chingoka as ZC chairman.Tsvarai’s exit seems to have been triggered by a document he drafted in which he recommended the dismissal of Kevin Curran, the coach, and Andy Pycroft, the A-team coach.The reasons were unclear, although Mliswa hinted that Curran held an Irish passport.Tsvarai’s report was submitted to a ZC executive meeting on September 20 which he failed to attend. The other members of his committee are said to have distanced themselves from his comments.Although Tsvarai declined to tell Cricinfo the reasons for his subsequent decision to quit, and said: “Should you want to know of the reasons why please contact Mr Chingoka.”But the Independent quoted his resignation letter: “I find it hard to continue to chair a committee whose decisions are not respected by what I would call an ‘inner board’ for lack of a better term,” Tsvarai explained to Chingoka.Chingoka fired back in a typically bullish manner. “You talk about transparency in your letter. However, we are struck by the coincidence of your resignation at the time your [technical and player welfare committee] and the board had rejected your personal and unilateral wishes to dismiss Curran and Pycroft.”Meanwhile, Makovah, who had been the chief selector, revealed that he had also stepped down because of Chingoka. “Where there’s lack of policy and lack of professionalism, I have problems,” he said. “I have always had problems with fellow selectors, but my main problem is Peter. When a fish dies it’s the head that starts rotting.”ZC officials subsequently claimed Makovah had not been reappointed rather than resigned.Cricinfo was told that he had opposed attempts to lure back former players who had walked away during the ongoing crisis, and also that he opposed “too many whites in the team”.Another source told the newspaper: “Selection was chaotic and shambolic … Makovah was not attending matches yet he wanted to select players. Even in West Indies he was refusing to watch practice matches but he still wanted to have the final say.”It now seems that Makovah was instrumental in the dismissal of Terry Duffin as captain ahead of the Bangladesh series against the wishes of Curran and there were other rows over selection throughout the series.Makovah has been replaced by Kenyon Ziehl.

Scorecard

The Sri Lankans’ Test preparations suffered another severe wobble when their top order collapsed for the second time in the tour match against Queensland. After folding to 5 for 45 in the first innings, the visitors were in more trouble at 4 for 55 as they tried to overhaul the 85-run deficit created by Andy Bichel’s muscular century.Ashley Noffke continued his fine match when he raced through the openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu before Michael Vandort and Thilan Samaraweera added to the tourists’ pain. They finished the day at 4 for 62, still 23 runs behind, and will rely on Mahela Jayawardene (22) and Chamara Silva (2) to ease the headaches of a side already missing Kumar Sangakkara with injury.Jayasuriya began the tour with a century on a flat surface in Adelaide, but he has struggled with the pitch’s pop at Allan Border Field and managed only three runs for the game. Noffke, who captured five victims on Friday, forced him to fend a lifting ball to Clinton Perren and he departed to similar dismissals on both occasions.The exit of Atapattu, who was lbw to Noffke for 7, was less of a concern as he has performed strongly in both games, but Michael Vandort missed an opportunity for a meaningful contribution when he went for 26 to an excellent legside take from Chris Hartley. At least the Sri Lankans have an idea of what they will face at the Gabba from Thursday after dueling with a high-quality attack.Shaun Tait’s elbow injury means Mitchell Johnson is a virtual certainty for the first Test even though he has struggled for wickets in this match. He took one on Friday and was again out-bowled by Noffke, who had 2 for 8 off six overs in his opening spell. Bichel chipped in late to dispose of Samaraweera and complete a satisfying day of personal achievement.Bichel smashed seven sixes, the most in a first-class innings for Queensland, and 11 fours as he led the Bulls from the early-morning trouble of 4 for 60 to relative comfort. Entering at No. 6 in a bowler-heavy line-up, Bichel started the day cautiously but expanded his repertoire as he got comfortable and reached three figures shortly before tea.”I was a bit lucky today, I got away with a few things, but it worked for me,” Bichel said. “I’m feeling quite comfortable with the bat in my hand and I hope that continues.”The rescue mission of 125 from 168 deliveries ended when he top edged a sweep off Malinga Bandara, who suffered the most bruises from Bichel. Taking advantage of a dropped chance at mid-off on 18 and a run-out escape, Bichel hit freely and rushed to 99 with two sixes in a Bandara over before flicking a single to midwicket for his century.A couple of mistakes in the field did not help the bowlers, who were unable to shut down a pesky lower order despite regular movement off the pitch. Farveez Maharoof was the most successful with 3 for 72 while Bandara picked up 2 for 89 and Jayasuriya claimed the final two wickets as Queensland were dismissed for 285. Maharoof was unlucky, forcing numerous plays and misses, and eventually gained a reward when he had Hartley caught behind for 8 after Noffke had fallen for 34.Bichel and Noffke, who lost a ball with a six over mid-on, combined for an 80-run stand before Johnson and Bichel added 94 in quick time to pass the Sri Lankans’ first-innings total of 210. Johnson may have struggled for impact with the ball over the opening two days but he contributed a lively half-century to complement the work of Bichel.Maharoof, who was pleased with his return, said there was a lot of work to do on the final day. “Whoever gets in just has to bat on,” he said. “You can’t do that much on this wicket, the only thing you can concentrate on is playing down the line and occupying the crease. The first day the pitch was a bit spongy, but it’s dried out a bit and it’s taking off from a length.”

Kenya have recalled the opening batsman, Morris Ouma, for the one-day international series against Bangladesh that gets underway on Saturday.Ouma, who is also a reserve wicketkeeper, replaces Timothy Mwange, one of two youngsters who had been expected to make their international debut in Canada. However, neither featured in the Intercontinental Cup, nor the two one-day matches Kenya played in Toronto.The change is part of head coach Roger Harper’s desire to improve the run-rate from his top order, which has disappointedly failed to deliver in the last four international competitions.Kennedy Otieno Obuya, the struggling veteran opener and wicketkeeper, has retained his place despite heavy criticism for his poor batting during the disastrous tour of Bangladesh, where Kenya suffered a 4-0 series defeat earlier this year.Harper said Kenya, which has won six of the 11 matches they have played with Test-playing Bangladesh since 1997, would be looking to avenge the defeat.”This is a new series and both teams start from scratch,” said Harper. “In Bangladesh they had the advantage of home conditions. We expect to be able to perform a lot better in home conditions and we’re looking forward to being very competitive and really trying to turn the tables on the Bangladeshis this time.”

Australia’s selectors must decide whether to backflip to a traditional line-up or plough ahead in search of another allrounder following the shoulder injury that ended Shane Watson’s Test summer. Trevor Hohns has enjoyed the balance of the side with Watson covering duel roles, but he told the problem with similar replacements was “there weren’t too many of them around”.The disruption has forced the selectors to delay naming the squad for the second Test against West Indies at Hobart, which begins on November 17, and reports have also suggested Justin Langer’s fractured rib was not healing as well as planned. If Langer is unfit Mike Hussey will stay in the side after making his debut in Brisbane while Brad Hodge and Andrew Symonds are in contention to replace Watson.Hohns told Watson’s injury had upset his plans. “We were certainly making progress in that direction,” he said. “We may have to change the balance of the side again.” The selectors also have the problem of an underperforming middle order with Michael Clarke and Simon Katich failing to register decent scores in Brisbane.Watson suffered a partial dislocation while fielding on Sunday and has had trouble keeping the “terrible noise” on impact out of his mind. “I was actually thinking ‘that can’t be my body,” he told the paper, “it must be the ground or something’.”The surgeon Greg Hoy was due to operate on Watson’s left shoulder today but he felt the injury was less serious than the back stress fractures that ruled him out of the 2003 World Cup. “The good thing is it wasn’t technique or anything to do with my bowling action so I don’t really have to remodel anything,” he said. “It’s just a freak thing.”Watson was playing his third Test at the Gabba and had just taken his second career wicket when he had Chris Gayle caught by Shane Warne at first slip. “It’s hard to set a goal at the moment,” he said in . “Hopefully it will just be a couple of months and I’ll be able to get back without risking it.”

Scorecard

Stephen Fleming scored a chanceless 129 off 176 balls on the first day New Zealand’s match against the BCB XI, their only warm-up ahead of next Tuesday’s first Test. New Zealanders finished on 285 for 6 after rain and bad light had permitted only 66 overs.Fleming and Hamish Marshall had put on 119 for the fourth wicket, after the Shahadat Hossain and Alamgir Kabir exploited the morning’s humid conditions to reduce the New Zealanders to 86 for four. After a consolidating Fleming and Marshall unfurled an elegant range of shots to accelerate either side of lunch.Kabir dismissed Marshall for 51, which did not slow Fleming’s scoring, but rain, which came an hour after the resumption, did. Fleming retired out during the break to allow his other batsman time in the middle. He had been particularly severe on Nadif Chowdhury, a left-arm spinner lofting him for two straight sixes.Before fading light brought an early finish, Shahadat Hossain Rajib made one delivery to bounce off a length to have Jacob Oram caught behind.The Bangladesh selectors – Faruque Ahmed, Athar ali Khan, Golam Nowsher and Dav Whatmore -were in attendance and will wait until the final day of this match before announcing the squad for the first Test at Dhaka.

Scorecard
Trinidad & Tobago made a steady reply to Jamaica’s first-innings score of 316 by reaching 217 for 5 at the end of the second day. Fifties by Denesh Ramdin and Lendl Simmons – who added 115 for the third wicket – plucked Jamaica out of a precarious position at 43 for 2. Ramdin’s 84 was his highest score in his fledgling first-class career. His dismissal, just before play ended, tilted the balance back towards Jamaica.In the morning, Donovan Pagon reached his hundred (104 not out) in the company of the lower order. But Jamaica could add only 23 runs to their overnight total, as Reyad Emrit picked up the final wickets to end with 5 for 55 – his third five-wicket haul in only his ninth first-class game.Personal tragedy struck Shazam Bawah, who had to withdraw from the Trinidad & Tobago side upon hearing about the demise of his father. His withdrawal came as a blow to T & T as they sought to win first-innings points.