Scorpions collapse to give Volcanoes lifeline

A despicable display of batting from the Jamaica Scorpions and resolute disciplined bowling from the Windward Islands Volcanoes has left the seventh-round clash between the sides wide open, following day three action in their West Indies Championship match at the Grenada National Stadium.

On a day where 21 wickets fell, the Volcanoes, batting a second time, were 51 for three, still needing 174 runs to win, this, after they blew away the Jamaica Scorpions for a mere 60 runs in their second innings.

Scores: Scorpions, 318 and 60; Volcanoes, 217 and 51 for three.

The day began with the Volcanoes resuming their first innings on 132 for two, with Devon Smith on 67 and Andre Fletcher, 22.

Pacer Marquino Mindley bowled an inspiring spell in the morning session as he picked up the wickets of Fletcher for 33, Sunil Ambris for one and Devon Smith for 71 to leave the hosts on 150 for five.

The last five wickets then fell for 67 runs as Mindley ended with four for 48 and Jamie Merchant, three for 36, as the Windwards innings folded for 217.

OVERCONFIDENT

Keron Cottoy put up the only real resistance for the host with an unbeaten 48, which included six fours.

With a lead of 164 runs, the Scorpions may have begun their innings overconfident, and that approach proved to be their downfall.

When opener Alwyn Williams went leg before wicket to medium-pacer Ryan John for seven, the Scorpions batters fell right after like bowling pins.

Three wickets fell with the score on 15 as Jermaine Blackwood (two), Nkrumah Bonner (zero), and John Campbell (six) started the slide for the Scorpions, who could not find a way out of the rot.

Ryan John, four for 26; Preston McSween, three for 23; and Kenneth Dember, three for nine,` ripped through the Scorpions batting line-up, which folded for their third-lowest first-class total of 60 all out.

Merchant with 19 and Mindley with 10 were the only two batters who got into double figures.

Set 225 to win, the Volcanoes also started their victory chase in turmoil as Devon Smith fell to the very first ball bowled by Mindley. Patrick Harty then came into the attack and snared two scalps as he sent back Kimani Melius for 11 and Kavem Hodge for 21 to leave the hosts on 44 for three.