Scorpions rue declaration

Stand-in captain Paul Palmer has described as unfortunate, the Jamaica Scorpions being unable to bowl out Trinidad and Tobago Red Force on the final day of their CWI-Digicel four-day Championship showdown at Sabina Park yesterday.

Trinidad, who started the day at a disadvantageous 21 for one in their second innings, and needing another 271 runs to make Jamaica bat again, batted until early into the final session before rain curtailed play, with the score on 168 for six.

In-form captain Denesh Ramdin, with an unbeaten 52, batsman Tion Webster, 30, and leg-spinner Imran Khan, 17 not out, led the defiance for Trinidad against speedster Reynard Leveridge, three for 23.

It was, however, the decision by Palmer and the Jamaican coaching staff, led by Robert Samuels, to bat until being bowled out for 535 in their first innings for an overall lead of 292 on the stroke of tea on the third day that emerged as one of the main talking points of the match.

Trinidad had earlier made 243 in their first innings, and according to some observers, Jamaica should have declared their innings early in the post-lunch session, having established a lead of at least 150 runs.

BATTED TOO LONG

"One might argue that we batted too long, but when we batted on Saturday's third day, we still had approximately 38 overs left in the day's play, and we only got in eight due to rain,'' said Palmer.

"We could have declared earlier on the third day, given the potential prospect of rain, but we cannot play the rain as we don't know what the rain might do.

"If it had not been for the slight rain interruption and the damp outfield, which followed, and we had got in those 38 overs, who knows, we probably would have needed no more than another five or so wickets on the final day.

"But unfortunately, that is how it goes sometimes. We just have to work with it and look forward to the next game,'' he added.

Jamaica, who, like Trinidad, started the clash hoping to record victory in order to get closer to runaway leaders Guyana Jaguars, bowled fairly well in the first session and had the Red Force at 105 for four at lunch.

However, led by spirited batting from Ramdin, who eventually faced 167 deliveries from Webster and the experienced Khan, Trinidad were able to withstand the moves of Palmer, who chopped and changed his bowlers to little effect.

"We were under a lot of pressure after batting in the first innings and coming up against a big total, going to bat in the second innings,'' said Ramdin.

"However, at the end of the day, we knew what we had to do to try and save the game. (We) tried to bat out the day, which we did, and we are happy with the result."