Scorpions withstand Hurricanes in Trelawny

A magnificent unbeaten knock of 66 from Nkrumah Bonner carried the Jamaica Scorpions to an enthralling five-wicket win over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes on the final day of their rain-affected Cricket West Indies Professional Cricket League Regional Four-Day Championship match at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium yesterday.

In virtual darkness at around 5:48 p.m. local time, Bonner smashed three massive sixes and a four in a 25-run over bowled by seamer Nino Henry to carry the Scorpions to the 137 runs needed to win the contest.

The masterclass innings from the right-hander came off 48 balls and included four sixes and two fours as the Jamaicans made the final-day late-evening charge off 17.4 overs to secure maximum points after the Hurricanes had earlier made 294 batting a second time.

Bonner got good support from another right-hander in Jermaine Blackwood, who made 38 as the pair added a valuable 73-run third-wicket stand following the early loss of Assad Fudadin for a duck and John Campbell five to off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall, who bagged three wickets.

Wicketkeeper Denis Smith, 18, also played a significant role as he and Bonner put on 26 runs for the fifth wicket to inch the home side closer to the victory target.

Character

Winning coach Andre Coley praised Bonner and the rest of the team for showing character in the nail-biting encounter.

“There is no doubt about Bonner’s class,” Coley said. “His ability against pace and spin is incredible, and he is one of the few players in the team that can play around 360 degrees of the wicket. That’s a plus for us, but this win is good for the team as we are closer to our target of being third at the midway point of the tournament.”

After play was delayed for an hour and 45 minutes because of rain, the Hurricanes, who resumed on 134 for four, added a further 160 runs, thanks largely to a 110-run fifth-wicket stand between Terance Ward, who made 74, and captain Jahmar Hamilton, who got 54. Man-of-the-Match Nicholson Gordon was the pick of the bowlers, bagging five for 97 for the Scorpions, who now move to mid-table in the standings with 57.4 points. The Hurricanes remain at the foot of the table on 32.6 points.

Scores: Leeward Hurricanes 227 and 294, Jamaica Scorpions 385 and 137 for five.