Dean Headley has returned to the land of his test-playing father and grandfather to put England well in command of their match against Jamaica.

Headley took a wicket in his first over and added two more to end with three for 23 after the second day of the four-day match in Montego Bay.

Jamaica were then in deep trouble on 108 for eight in reply to England's first innings 286 for eight declared.

Thorpe scored an impressive 89

The architect of England's first innings total was left-hander Graham Thorpe. He battled for 333 minutes on a difficult pitch to score a potentially match-winning 89.

Thorpe completed an 80-run sixth-wicket partnership with Jack Russell after England resumed at their overnight 179 for five before finally he fell playing a tired shot to be caught at extra cover.

England declared immediately on his dismissal but not before Headley had compiled a useful and unbeaten 18.

He made an immediate impact when he opened England's bowling in his first senior match on the island where his forebears had made their names.

With his fourth legitimate delivery, after bowling two no-balls, Headley had Robert Samuels caught low down by wicket keeper Russell.

In his fourth over Headley dismissed Jamaica's other opener Leon Garrick also for a duck to have Jamaica in deep trouble on 10 for two.

Headley returned after tea to bowl Wavell Hinds for 18.

Afterwards played down the importance of the family connections with the island.

"It's immaterial," he said. "I'm here to play for England as part of a team. Winning is the important result."

After left-arm spinner Phil Tufnell made Jimmy Adams play on, Andrew Caddick took three wickets in nine balls to finish with four for 24.

It left Jamaica facing a comprehensive defeat, probably within three days.

Scoreboard

• M Atherton c Murphy b Powell 28
• A Stewart c Breese b Richards 1
• J Crawley run out 25
• N Hussain c Adams b Breese 15
• G Thorpe c Adams b Murphy 89
• A Hollioake c Coley b Powell 40
• Russell c Coley b Williams 29
• A Caddick lbw b Williams 9
• D Headley not out 18

Bowling: Powell 24-7-40-2, Richards 19-8-25-1, Williams 33-10-62-2, Breese 24-3-59-1, Murphy 19.3-0-64-1, Adams 1-0-4-0.
 

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