Scorpions hunt three in a row

Jamaica Scorpions' stand-in captain, Paul Palmer, believes replacing ace wicket-taker Nikita Miller for today's start of the sixth round of the CWI/Digicel Four-day Championship will be difficult.

However, in leg-spinner Damion Jacobs, fastman Reynard Leveridge and pace all-rounder Derval Green, Palmer believes the team has bowlers to beat Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the game which will be played at Sabina Park.

The showdown will see the Scorpions hunting their third win in a row after recent victories over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes and Windward Islands Volcanoes. The Scorpions are now third in the standings on 55 points. They sit below leaders Guyana Jaguars on 86.4 and the Red Force on 61.8.

''We have lost our captain and main bowler, Nikita Miller, who was recently selected for the West Indies one-day team and is currently unavailable'' said Palmer.

"His was outstanding in the two matches he played as he picked up five wickets or more in four straight innings. However, we still have Jacobs, who is the next best bowler we currently have, and who has been fairly consistent for us over the years.

"We are therefore looking forward to him stepping up, and along with Leveridge and Green, who are still getting their feet wet at the first-class level to get us a positive result.''

Jamaica, with two wins, a draw and a defeat, will be contesting their third game at home and apart from the bowlers, Palmer will be hoping that young batsman Fabian Allen continues his terrific form.

The 22-year-old has so far played three matches and notched two undefeated centuries for a total of 342 runs at an average of 114.

Allen apart, the team will look to John Campbell, Palmer, Brandon King and Guyanese-born Assad Fudadin to get the runs.

The Scorpions have made two other changes to their 13-man squad.

Wicketkeeper Steven Taylor and opener Garth Garvey have been replaced by batsman Oraine Williams and fast bowling all-rounder Odean Smith.