Ja Scorpions still in charge

It was a day when the Jamaica Scorpions put together their biggest first-innings total of the season, as the home side put a stranglehold on the visiting Leeward Islands Hurricanes after day three of their West Indies Championship match at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.

At stumps, the Hurricanes, batting a second time, reached 134 for four, still trailing the Scorpions by 24 runs after the hosts posted a formidable 385 all out.

Captain Jahmar Hamilton, 12, and Terance Ward, 20, will resume the Leewards’ fight on today’s fourth and final day.

Earlier, the Scorpions resuming on 260 for six were able to add another 125 runs thanks largely to two huge late wicket partnerships spearheaded by wicketkeeper Denis Smith.

The diminutive Grenadian added 83 with Derval Green, then added 75 with Pete Salmon as the Jamaicans consolidated their position.

Green made 33 before he became the fourth wicket for off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall, while Salmon got to 47 before he fell just after lunch to Damion Jacobs.

Smith was the ninth wicket to fall for the Scorpions as he gifted Nino Henry his only wicket of the innings for a well-played 84.

He faced 188 balls and hit 10 fours in the responsible knock.

EARLY WICKETS

With a lead of 158, the Scorpions were on the hunt for early wickets with little under two sessions to play, and they didn’t have to wait long to snare the first scalp as Montcin Hodge found Oraine Williams at gully off Nicholson Gordon for four.

The impressive Patrick Harty Jr then made his mark felt, as he got one to bounce and spin across the left-handed Kieron Powell to be caught at slip by Jermaine Blackwood for 18.

When Salmon induced a loose shoot from Amir Jangoo to have him bowled for 17, the Hurricanes were in a spot of bother at 65 for three.

Veteran Devon Thomas and captain Jahmar Hamilton then steadied the innings with a 48-run fourth-wicket stand.

During that knock, Thomas brought up his 23rd half-century. However, when he got to 53, he received a brute of a rising delivery from Gordon, and was caught behind to leave the visitors on 113 for four.

Hamilton, 12, and the first-innings half-century maker, Terance Ward, 20, batted to stumps without further loss with the Hurricanes still 24 runs behind with six wickets in hand.

AT KENSINGTON OVAL: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, set 377 for victory by Barbados Pride, were 48 for four at the close.

Scores: Pride 209 (Kevin Stoute 52, Ashley Nurse 48; Muhammad 3-47, Terrance Hinds 3-51) and 342 for five decl. (Shayne Moseley 155 not out; Akeal Hosein 2-66).

RED FORCE 175 (Jeremy Solozano 50, Akeal Hosein 28; Keon Harding 5-57) and 48 for four (Joshua DaSilva 23 not out; Chemar Holder 2-13, Kemar Roach 2-25).