McCarthy, Campbell combine to put Scorpions ahead

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Andre McCarthy stroked a brilliant, maiden first-class hundred, and part-time off-spinner John Campbell snapped up four wickets as Jamaica Scorpions rocked Trinidad and Tobago Red Force to take a giant step towards victory on today's final day of their third-round encounter in the Regional First Class Championship.

The right-handed McCarthy converted his overnight 49 not out into 121 as Scorpions, resuming from 119 for three, posted 291 all out for a lead of 20 runs at Queen's Park Oval yesterday.

Leg-spinner Imran Khan led the Red Force attack, finishing with seven for 90 to register his 13th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.

Red Force then easily erased the deficit, coasting to 49 without loss before Campbell engineered a collapse to leave the hosts tottering on 87 for four at the close - a lead of only 67.

TOP ORDER WRECKED

Opener Kjorn Ottley hit 31, and first-innings century-maker Jeremy Solozano, 19, but Campbell claimed four for 35 to wreck the top order.

Captain Yannick Ottley, unbeaten on 10, and Yannic Cariah, eight, will lead Red Force's fight on the final day.

They looked to be batting themselves into a strong position when Ottley stroked five fours in an innings consuming 81 balls in nearly one and a half hours at the crease.

Once Solozano fell after an hour at the crease, the innings spiralled into turmoil. Barbadian Kyle Hope perished, without scoring, to the fourth ball he faced before Kjorn Ottley was taken at cover by Damion Jacobs to leave Red Force on 56 for three.

With much depending on seasoned left-hander Narsingh Deonarine, Campbell struck yet again, having the Guyanese stumped for 14 to leave Scorpions on top.

Earlier, it was McCarthy who provided the early momentum for the visitors in a superb 149-run, fourth-wicket stand with former skipper Tamar Lambert, who made 45.

All told, McCarthy struck 16 fours off 180 deliveries in an innings lasting just over three and three-quarter hours.

Lambert, meanwhile, on 12 at the start, batted solidly for 191 balls and 217 minutes and gathered four boundaries.

McCarthy eventually fell in the third over before lunch, which Scorpions reached at 228 for four, but a collapse ensued on resumption, with wickets falling steadily.

Wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton then held the innings together with an unbeaten 33 as Scorpions rallied to a small first-innings lead.