Green shines but Scorpions under the kosh against Volcanoes

IN HIS first game back for the Jamaica Scorpions, all-rounder Derval Green showed his worth, bagging five wickets and then leading with the bat in a woeful batting display that sees the Scorpions on 98 for seven, replying to 217 posted by the Windward Islands Volcanoes on day one of their third-round West Indies Championship clash at Providence in Guyana.

Green was the standout bowler for the Scorpions, grabbing five wickets in dismissing the Volcanoes for 217 runs after they decided to take the first strike at the Guyana National Stadium.

In his 11 overs, Green sent back Kavem Hodge for one and then dismissed Justin Greaves for an even 50 before he snared the wickets of Tevyn Walcott for 22 and Ryan John and Kenneth Dember without scoring to finish with five wickets for 30 runs.

Fellow pacer Nicholson Gordon, also in his first game, picked up 2-26 while off-spinner Jamie Merchant chipped in with 2-39.

New West Indies recruit Alick Athanaze continued his good form, playing a skipper’s knock of 81 from 111 balls to lead the Volcanoes. The left-hander hit 12 fours and a six during his innings.

Once again, the brittle Scorpions’ batting demonstrated its frailties, and at one stage, the franchise was 41 for six until Green decided to take matters into his own hands.

The right-hander added 57 runs for the seventh wicket with Merchant, who went lbw to Justin Greaves for 24.

Green, so far, has faced 33 balls and hit five fours in his unbeaten knock of 33. He will resume today’s second day with Marquino Mindley, who is yet to face a ball, with the Scorpions trailing by 119.

West Indies batsman Nkrumah Bonner, in his first game back for the Scorpions, made 17, while opener Leroy Lugg contributed 16.

Right-arm medium pacer Greaves, so far, has picked up 4-34, with Pacer Shermon Lewis claiming two wickets.

Over at the Queen’s Park Oval, Barbados closed day one on 294 for eight against the Leeward Island Hurricanes.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich has so far hit an unbeaten 116, with Chaim Holder getting 43 and Kevin Wickham, 41, against Rahkeem Cornwall’s 6-50.

At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force were seven without loss replying to the Guyana Harpy Eagles first-innings score of 324.

Kevin Sinclair led the runs scoring for the Harpy Eagles with 69, while captain Leon Johnson chipped in with 62. Wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble made 56 and Keemo Paul, 46.

Off-spinner Bryan Charles picked up 3-85 for the Red Force.