Scorpions in control

 

Defiant half-centuries from wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jr and spinner Nikita Miller has put Jamaica Scorpions in pole position heading into day three of their fourth round WICB First-Class Championship encounter against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at Sabina Park.

Resuming the day together with Jamaica reeling at 69 for six, in chase of the Hurricanes' modest first innings total of 164, the duo went on to put on 126 for the seventh wicket to rally the Scorpions to 243.

Facing a deficit of 79, the Leewards thereafter closed the day on an enterprising 112 for three, 33 runs ahead.

Baugh Jr, recalled to squad after failing in the first two matches on the departure of Chadwick Walton due to study leave, hit a topscore with 73. His knock included seven fours in a  near four-hour stay at the wicket.

Miller, in the meantime, demonstrating ability with the bat once more, hit 51 in  two hours and 26 minutes. He hit five fours. Also among the runs was Sheldon Cottrell who slammed 35 with  two sixes and three fours.

Cornwall ended with four for 76, the impressive Alzarri Joseph, three for 46, and experienced pacer Gavin Tonge, three for 76.

The Hurricanes came out with a positive mind-set in their second innings. Their counter-attack effort is being led by opener Shane Jeffers, who is  unbeaten on 55, after hitting a six and five fours.

"It was a good innings by Baugh and Miller," said Jamaica captain, Paul Palmer at the end of yesterday's play.

"The team was behind the eighth ball on day one, and thanks mainly to their perseverance, we are now ahead.

"We just have to try as best as possible to restrict then to total of stay under 150, and after that, go for the runs," he added.

Play resumes at  10 a.m. today.

SCOREBOARD

HURRICANES 1st Innings 164

SCORPIONS 1st Innings

(overnight 69 for six)

 

+C. Baugh Jr c wk. Hamilton b Joseph 73
N. Miller c wk. Hamilton b Cornwall 51

D. Jacobs lbw b Cornwall 6

M. Mindley not out 10

S. Cottrell c Liburd b Tonge 35

Extras (b5, lb4, nb2) 11

TOTAL (all out, 84.1 overs) 243

Fall of wickets: 1-39, 2-39, 3-44, 4-54, 5-56, 6-68, 7-194, 8-194, 9-243, 10-243.

Bowling: Tonge 22.1-4-76-3, Joseph 19-4-46-3, Cornwall 32-11-76-4, Taylor 6-0-18-0, Peters 1-0-10-0, Liburd 3-0-6-0, Hughes 1-0-2-0.

HURRICANES 2nd Innings

C. Hughes lbw b Miller 27

S. Jeffers not out 55

D. Cruickshank c Bernard b Jacobs 14

N. Bonner b Mindley 10

Extras (b4, lb1, w1) 6

TOTAL (3 wkts, 32.3 overs) 112

Fall of wickets: 1-71, 2-94, 3-112.

Bowling: Cottrell 2-0-17-0, Mindley 3.3-2-12-1, Miller 13-2-33-1, Campbell 4-0-15-0, Lambert 3-0-13-0, Jacobs 7-0-17-0.

Position: Hurricanes lead by 33 runs overall.

Toss: Hurricanes.

Umpires: Verdayne Smith, Nigel Duguid.