Richard Bryan, Star Writer

If defending champions Jamaica thought they would find things easy against an inexperienced and under-strength Guyanese side, then they have plenty of reasons to think again, after they were prised open for a disappointing 150 in 63 overs, on day one of their regional four-day game at Alpart Sports Club, yesterday.

It was a dream start and an unexpected one from the Guyanese, who last beat Jamaica in this format in 2006, by 51 runs at Chedwin Park. Once their captain Assad Fudadin saw the toss flipped in his honour, he immediately inserted the Jamaicans. It probably was not the wisest decision given the history of the ground and the way the wicket is expected to deteriorate over the course of the match.

However, it later proved justified given the way they turned in a disciplined bowling performance to shackle the Jamaican batting, making it a boring day to watch for the 1000 or so spectators on hand.

Spin is traditionally Guyana's main weapon, but it was their pencil slim 6 ft 4 fast bowler Brendon Bess who engineered much of their success, finishing with best figures of 5 for 28 off 14 overs. It was his first five-wicket haul in four seasons at this level, and bettered the four he took against the Jamaicans in Barbados last season.

leg-spinners

Bess' performance and the support provided by leg-spinners Vishaul Bishoo and Verusami Persad (2 wickets each) as well as Easaun Crandon, who got the first wicket of the innings, went to the team plan according to coach Mark Harper.

"Like everything else, we tried to plan the way we would bowl to the various batsmen, restricting the way the way they would play, and I felt we were able to keep our lines consistently outside the off-stump and I think Bess executed that well."

He believe the bar of expectation had now been raised.

"There is still a lot of cricket left and the plan is now to capitalise on them making such a modest total," he added.

All the Jamaican batters got a start except for make-shift opener Danza Hyatt, who fell for three, and Wavel Hines who at no six fell for a duck to Bess. Debutant Simon Jackson looked solid but far from fluent in making 26, Marlon Samuels, Bess' first victim, got 13, captain Tamar Lambert 25, Brendan Nash 29, David Bernard Jr 23 and another debutant, wicketkeeper-batsman Chadrick Walton, 15.

So uncharacteristically un-enterprising was Jamaica's batting, that it was in fact captain Tamar Lambert who had the best strike rate of 51, scoring the most boundaries - five - in the 47 balls he faced.

Despite the obvious conditions which assisted fast bowling, they were often too cautious, looking good in defence and occupying time at the crease. However, little things like rotating the strike to build partnerships were ignored. Instead they built pressure on themselves, playing well within their strengths especially against the spinners, and the uncomplicated medium pace of Fudadin.