Scorpions banking on the ball for Super50 title defence

THE JAMAICA Scorpions’ preparation to defend their regional Super50 title is in full swing with the squad recently wrapping up back-to-back practice games this week which will help select the squad for the October 17 start of the tournament in Trinidad and Tobago.

On the back of some enterprising batting backed up by some remarkable bowling, the Scorpions lifted the limited overs title last year with the Rovman Powell-led side ending an 11-year trophyless spell.

No doubt the bowling was critical to the team’s success, with four of the team’s bowlers ending among the top-10 wicket-takers in the competition.

Seamers Odean Smith and Nicholson Gordon both had 15 wickets in eight matches for second and third in the standings, while spinner Dennis Bulli was fifth in the wicket-taking column after picking up 14 in six matches. Left-arm slow bowler Jeavor Royal bagged 12 wickets in eight matches to end seventh on the list.

Assistant coach Nikita Miller, who has worked tirelessly with the bowlers, says the formula pretty much remains the same for this season’s championship and things are already looking up.

GAME PLAN

“The way we want to play is to make sure we are taking wickets in the power play so that puts pressure on the opposition’s batting in the middle overs. So far, the bowlers, especially the seamers, have been picking up early wickets, which is a positive for us,” said Miller.

Seamer Derval Green has started brightly, picking up four wickets in the opening practice game while left-arm seamer Shalom Parnell grabbed three for his team.

West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell was also in good nick in the second practice game, picking up three wickets, with the speedy Ojay Shields also bagging two quick wickets before rain ended the second match.

With these early signs, Miller is confident the team will put in another good showing. However, he is still keen on getting one other aspect right before the tournament begins.

“The only thing that I think we can improve even more is our death bowling. I see the bowlers trying to be a bit more decisive and they are doing that as a group. Based on that, I would give them a pass mark,” added Miller.

The competition for places in this year’s squad is set to intensify even further as players the likes of Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Odean Smith, Chadwick Walton and Fabian Allen are set to join the squad for the next set of practice games this week.