Jermaine Lannaman, Star Writer

Fast bowler Nicholson Gordon and batting all-rounder Garth Garvey have come in for high praise from West Indies Sagicor High Performance Centre (WIHPC) head coach Graeme West.

The duo was outstanding during a four-dayer between the WIHPC and Jamaica Under-23, which concluded on Thursday at Sabina Park and saw the former coming out on top by three wickets.

"Garvey looked good. He hit the ball cleanly, took the game to us, and played positively," said West.

There were also Brian Gayle and Paul Palmer, who looked well-organised at the crease.

"I am sure that these players, over time, could fit into the HPC system."

Garvey, a former national youth representative, made a topscore of 77 in Jamaica's second innings. This included eleven fours and two sixes.

The Kingston CC representative also had fairly good returns with his medium pace. He claimed three for five in the first innings.

Gayle of St Elizabeth CA, who is also a former national youth representative, topscored with 38 in the first innings, while captain Palmer Jr, made 55 in the second innings.

Gordon, in the meantime, was the pick of Jamaica's bowlers in the second innings.

The former West Indies Under-19 bowler, ended with five for 42, which broke the back of WIHPC's much-vaunted top order and almost won Jamaica the match.

Set 104 to win after Jamaica were dismissed for 152 and 225, WIHPC was as one stage reeling at 38 for five, with Gordon accounting for four of the wickets at the time.

This included the wicket of West Indies opener Adrian Barath, who Gordon had trapped leg before wicket for 10.

WIHPC, who made 272 in their first innings, eventually reached their victory target at 106 for seven.

"Nicholson bowled with quite a bit of pace and energy. He also bowled long spell and maintained good standards all the way through.

"It is just for him and the others I mention to push on and try to make the national team, which would help his cause when the next batch is selected.

"We are not saying that we would not look at a player who has not played first-class cricket, but this would certainly help their cause."

WIHPC also won the first game of the series, a two-day encounter at Kensington Park, by 70 runs.