Trinidad force the sting out of Scorpions in Super50 semi
Published:Thursday | February 25, 2021 | 12:18 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
Despite half-centuries from opener John Campbell and Brandon King, the Jamaica Scorpions could not replicate the same bowling performance from previous encounters and succumbed by six wickets to the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in their Regional Super50 Cup semi-final in Antigua.
The Scorpions, asked to take the first strike, posted a respectable 255 for seven in 50 overs, however, their bowlers could not match the prowess of the Red Force batters, who got to 256 for the loss of four wickets in 42.1 overs.
Opener Lendl Simmons led the charge for the Red Force, posting a workman-like 68 from 70 balls with seven fours and three sixes.
POORAN AND POLLARD SEE RED FORCE OVER THE LINE
The tournament’s leading run-scorer Jason Mohammed weighed in with 41, but it was Nicholas Pooran with an unbeaten 54 and Kieron Pollard 36 not out, who saw the Red Force over the line with an unbeaten 58 run fifth-wicket stand.
Rookie fast bowling all-rounder Odean Smith led the bowling for the Scorpions with two wickets for 54 runs, while there was a wicket each for spinners Jeavor Royal and Fabian Allen.
Earlier, the Scorpions looked a better outfit with the bat, with the inclusion of West Indies players John Campbell and Nkrumah Bonner.
It was Campbell who started things off for the Jamaican franchise, hitting a patient 88 from 131 balls.
The left-hander, who hit four fours and a six, shared in a 108 run second-wicket stand with Brandon King, who made a fluent 58 from 81 balls, with five fours and one six.
Andre McCarthy chipped in with 35 and Bonner 20, against a four-wicket haul for veteran T&T pacer and Man of the Match Ravi Rampaul.