Scorpions in good position against Red Force

Creditable bowling from leg-spinner Damion Jacobs has put the Jamaica Scorpions in a good position to force a victory over the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force heading into day three of their WICB/Digicel First-Class Championship clash at Sabina Park.

Jacobs, a recent West Indies 'A' call-up, in bowling with persistence, claimed four for 61, as Trinidad, after resuming on 35 for two, were bowled out for 206 in their first innings.

This was in reply to 314 made by Jamaica in their first innings.

The Scorpions, batting a second time, and enjoying a lead of 108 runs, then closed the day on 148 for four for an overall lead of 256.

Play is slated to resume at 10:00 a.m. with West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood not out on 80, and wicketkeeper Devon Thomas, not out 5.

"I believe we are in a commanding position right now,''stated Blackwood as their team eye a second win in four matches.

"I think myself and Devon will have to go out there in the morning and assess things quickly, as with a 200-odd runs lead, it's a good position to be in heading into a Sabina pitch, which on the third day tends to offer spin and bounce."

SUPPORTIVE DUO

The 31-year-old Jacobs, who has largely enjoyed good seasons since making his debut four years ago, was best supported by his senior spin partner and captain, Nikita Miller, who chimed in with three for 53.

New West Indies middle-order batsman Jason Mohammed, in expressing an array of straight drives and cuts, made an unbeaten 91 to lead all Red Force batters. His innings, which lasted three hours and two minutes, came off 125 balls.

Another recent West Indies call-up opener Kyle Hope, who resumed on 15 overnight, was next best with an entertaining 64.

"We were in a good position at 140-odd for three at lunch time and then we crumbled after," he explained of their batting,'' expressed Mohammed.

"Hopefully, however, in the second innings, we will get a good start from one to three and everybody coming down after can put in a good performance.

"Realistically, 350 runs to chase is looking like the best thing right now, which would be real difficult for us. But, in the end, we will try, and if not, we will at least try and salvage a draw."

SCOREBOARD

SCORPIONS 1st Innings 314

RED FORCE 1st Innings

(overnight 35 for two)

K Hope c Jacobs b Miller 64

I Rajah c wkp Thomas b Jacobs 9

M Richards lbw b Jacobs 0

Y Cariah c wkp Thomas b Leveridge 15

J Mohammed not out 91

*Y Ottley c Campbell b Miller 0

+S Katwaroo lbw b Jacobs 4

R Primus b Jacobs 1

Imran Khan c wkp Thomas b Miller 1

J Jagessar run out 0

S Cottrell run out 7

Extras (b5, lb2, nb2, pen5) 14

TOTAL (all out, 53.5 overs) 206

Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-35, 3-56, 4-143, 5-145, 6-152, 7-158, 8-163, 9-164, 10-206.

Bowling: Leveridge 8-0-30-1, Green 7-1-23-0, Jacobs 15-0-61-4, Miller 19-5-53-3, Powell 3-0-16-0, Blackwood 1.5-0-11-0.

SCORPIONS 2nd Innings

J Campbell lbw b Jagessar 9

S Thomas c wkp Katwaroo b Richards 4

J Blackwood not out 80

A McCarthy lbw b Khan 28

B King run out 14

+D Thomas not out 5

Extras (nb3, pen5) 8

TOTAL (4 wkts, 40 overs) 148

Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-21, 3-104, 4-130.

Bowling: Jagessar 9-2-38-1, Richards 8-0-33-1, Primus 6-1-27-0, Cottrell 5-1-14-0, Imran 12-2-31-1.

Position: Scorpions lead by 256 runs overall.

Toss: Scorpions.

Umpires: V Smith, G Brathwaite.