Guyana, (CMC)

Jamaica profited from blistering knocks by Dave Bernard, Wavell Hinds and captain Chris Gayle to crush United Chargers by 77 runs in the opening Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Twenty20 Festival match yesterday afternoon.

Batting first, the Jamaicans piled up 207 for five off their 20 overs and the United Charges, of the USA, replied with 130 for five at the National Stadium.

Dave Bernard top-scored in the Jamaica innings with 54 not out off 28 balls with four fours and five sixes.

The left-handed ex-West Indies batsman Hinds cracked a 21-ball 51 not out, hammering two sixes off Lennox Cush in the last over.

Hinds and Bernard posted an unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 101. Gayle also delivered an attacking innings, stroking 49 off 29 balls with five fours and two sixes.

Xavier Marshall scored 23 off 21 balls while young spinner Davindra Bishoo (3-36), Cush (1-30) and Reon King (1-30) shared the wickets.

When United Chargers replied, Carl Wright top-scored with 54, while leg-spinner Odean Brown, with two for 18, led the Jamaica bowling.

In the second match under lights late last night, Barbados, with new captain Ryan Hinds, will face hosts Guyana, being led by Ramnaresh Sarwan.