Scorpions on the hunt for points

FOLLOWING A break after round two, the West Indies Championship resumes today with three matches across two countries.

The Jamaica Scorpions take on the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Guyana National Stadium, the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force host leaders Guyana Harpy Eagles at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, and the Leeward Islands Hurricanes take on the Barbados Pride at the Queens Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago.

Back home, all eyes will be on the Scorpions versus Volcanoes fixture with the Jamaican franchise looking to amass as many points as it can.

The Scorpions occupy last place on the table with just 10 points from their two games, while the Windwards lie in fourth with 19.4.

Assistant coach of the Scorpions, Nikita Miller, says a lot of work has been done during the break, including in the last couple of days that the team has been in Guyana.

“Even though we start at the bottom of the table, the team is upbeat as we had two beautiful sessions. We are in a good place going into this round against the Windwards,” said Miller.

LACK OF RUNS

The team’s lack of runs has been a major concern as the Jamaicans are the only franchise not to have accumulated any batting points so far.

With that, the coaching staff is welcoming the return of batsman Nkrumah Bonner, who is expected to add some experience to the batting line-up.

“Bonner is a welcome addition to the squad and he is gelling right away with the team. His experience as an international player will surely help out some of the younger players as we look to get some batting points, something we are short of,” said Miller.

Also making a return to the team is all-rounder Derval Green and fast bowler Nicholson Gordon, however, the Scorpions will be keen on utilising their spinners to make inroads into the Windwards batting.

“In the spin department, we are well capable with Patrick Harty having the most wickets for us so far. Young Mansingh has been impressive as well and Jamie Merchant is also bowling well. Our spin attack has always done well, regardless of who we put on the park, and I expect them to come up with the goods once again.”

The left-handed batter Alick Athanaze will return to captain the Windward Islands Volcanoes.

Entering the third round, Athanaze is among the leading batters with 244 runs at an average of 61. He made his maiden first-class century of 141 against the Guyana Harpy Eagles last month. He occupies the second spot on the runs charts behind Trinidad & Tobago Red Force skipper Daren Bravo, who has scored 261 runs at an average of 87, including twin centuries against Leeward Islands Hurricanes.