Scorpions flatter to deceive on Day 2

It was like déjà vu for the Jamaica Scorpion batsmen, as once again the top order flattered to deceive following play on day two of their Regional Four Day match against hosts Guyana Jaguars at Providence.

When stumps were drawn, the Scorpions, batting a second time, were in a spot of bother at 50 for three, a lead of just 47 runs, this after dismissing the Jaguars for 190 in their first innings.

Earlier, the Scorpion spinners came up big with the ball as they pegged back the home side who had resumed on 17 without loss. The opening pair of Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Chandrapaul Hemraj took the score to 32 before debutant Pete Salmon claimed his first wicket when he trapped Chanderpaul in front for five.

Seamer Derval Green then made his presence felt as he first bowled captain Leon Johnson for five, then one run later he had the innings top-scorer Hemraj caught by Assad Fudadin for 38 as the Jaguars stuttered at 54 for three.

Christopher Barnwell and Vishaul Singh then began the recovery mission, and the pair added 58 runs for the fourth wicket. Barnwell hit four fours in his innings of 38, but he became the first of three wickets for off-spinner Jamie Merchant.

That wicket triggered a mini slide for the hosts, as they lost three wickets for seven runs with Merchant and left-arm spinner Patrick Harty Jr doing the damage to leave the Jaguars purring at 119 for seven.

It took a 65-run eight-wicket partnership between Raymon Reifer and Veerasammy Permaul to rescue the hosts from sheer embarrassment, as they took the score to within three runs of the Scorpions’ first innings total.

Harty would eventually break the lengthy partnership, when he had Permaul bowled for 35.

Harty removed Nial Smith to claim his third wicket, but it was Nkrumah Bonner who wrapped up the innings at 190 when he had Joseph dismissed leg before wicket (lbw) for a duck.

With a lead of just three runs, the Scorpions began their second innings positively to get to 49, before captain John Campbell played back to Smith and was adjudged lbw for 31, which included two fours and two sixes.

Nightwatchman Nicholson Gordon lasted just one over, as he was sent back to the pavilion by Permaul, lbw for one.

In what can only be described as a brainless dismissal, experienced batsman Jermaine Blackwood then came to the cease in fading light and made an almighty swipe at Permaul and was caught by Reifer for a duck, with just a few deliveries remaining on the day.

The fall of Blackwood’s wicket prompted the umpires to pull stumps with Assad Fudadin not out on 13 as the Scorpions go into day three with a total of 50 for three, a slender 47-run lead.