Jamaica Scorpions facing defeat against T&T Red Force

Another day of woeful batting by the Jamaica Scorpions yesterday have them staring defeat in the face against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, in the WICB First-Class League action at Sabina Park.

Resuming the day on 13 without loss in their second innings - an overall lead of 22 runs - the Scorpions lost their way in the morning and early post-lunch sessions and were bowled out for 155 in their second innings.

This resulted in the Red Force, which made 206 in their first innings in response to 225 made by the Scorpions, being set a comfortable victory target of 175.

At the close of the third day, they were 113 for three - 62 runs adrift.

"Advantage Trinidad; needing 60-odd runs and we need to get nine wickets to win," said new Jamaica captain, Campbell, who in addition to eight made in the first innings, scored 23 in the second.

"Having said that, (however), their batting order has been struggling, (especially) their middle order and if we come tomorrow morning and get two quick wickets, I think we could make a match of it."

Starting out with openers John Campbell, on eight, and Shacaya Thomas, five, the Scorpions capitulated on the back of some fine offspin from new sensation Jon-Russ Jagessar. Playing in his second first-class match, he finished with eight for 58, his maiden five-wicket haul.

The diminutive Jagessar, a revelation for Trinidad on their way to capturing the regional one-day title last month, utilised variations of pace and spin to add to his first innings collection of three for 53, to also claim his first 10-wicket haul.

In the end, none of the top six Jamaica batsmen were able to pass 25. Thomas made 19, Kirk Edwards 16, Jermaine Blackwood five, and Devon Thomas eight.

LAST-WICKET STAND

It took a defiant 47 last-wicket stand between spinner Nikita Miller, who was last man out for 28, and fast bowler Marquino Mindley, 23 not out, to bring some level of respectability to their score.

However, thanks to enterprising batting from fast-rising opener, Evin Lewis, who closed on 66 not out, the Red Force went on to take control of the match.

The 24-year-old, who recently returned from the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 and who scored an attractive 87 in the first innings, also expressed pleasure with his team's showing.

"We have only lost one wicket and we are on top," he said. "It's (now) important that we come out tomorrow, keep going as a team and get the remaining runs."

The left-hander, who looked at consummate ease while batting in each innings, also gave credit to Jagessar, who was recently selected in the Caribbean Premier League Twenty20 draft.

"It was an excellent bowling performance by Jon-Russ," he said. "We had a plan to bowl to the right handers and he went out there and did it and we are happy for it.

SCOREBOARD

SCORPIONS 1st Innings 225

RED FORCE 1st Innings 206

SCORPIONS 2nd Innings

(overnight 13 without loss)

S Thomas lbw b Jagessar 19

*J Campbell st Katwaroo b Jagessar 23

K Edwards c Lewis b Jagessar 10

A McCarthy c Lewis b Jagessar 16

J Blackwood lbw b Jagessar 5

D Thomas b Jagessar 8

+C Walton c Richards b Jagessar 4

N Miller c Mohammed b Khan 28

D Jacobs c Cariah b Jagessar 1

S Cottrell lbw b Jagessar 8

M Mindley not out 23

Extras (b8, lb2) 10

TOTAL (all out, 48.2 overs) 155

Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-58, 3-61, 4-79, 5-79, 6-91, 7-92, 8-96, 9-108, 10-155.

Bowling: Emrit 9-4-11-0, Richards 13-4-35-1, Jagessar 24-4-58-8, Mohammed 3-1-6-0, Imran Khan 16.2-2-31-1, Ottley 3-1-4-0.

RED FORCE 2nd Innings (target: 175 runs)

E Lewis not out 66

J Solozano c Miller b Campbell 19

K Hope not out 14

Extras ((lb11, w1, nb2) 14

TOTAL (1 wkt, 38 overs) 113

Fall of wicket: 1-66.

Bowling: Cottrell 5-0-19-0 (nb1), Mindley 3-0-15-0 (w2), Miller 15-4-32-0, Campbell 8-3-26-1, Jacobs 7-3-10-0.

Position: Red Force require a further 62 runs for victory with nine wickets intact.

Toss: Scorpions.

Umpires: V Smith, L Reifer.