Scorpions facing tough task

The all too familiar phrase of the Jamaica Scorpions staring down defeat could very well be utilised once again as the hosts face a daunting task to get a positive result against the Windward Islands Volcanoes after day two of their opening-round West Indies Championship match at Sabina Park.

The Scorpions, who made 159 in their first innings, will resume today’s third day on 76 for four, batting a second time. They still trail the Volcanoes by 106 runs, this after the visitors had piled up a formidable score of 341 in their first knock.

Discarded West Indies batsman Nkrumah Bonner will resume on 36, and with him is night watchman Gordon Bryan on one.

Pacer Darius Martin rocked the Scorpions’ second innings with two early wickets late in the evening, sending back opener Carlos Brown and Kirk McKenzie, both for nought. Ryan John picked up the wicket of Jermaine Blackwood for 16.

Earlier, John was one of the stars with the bat for the Volcanoes as his 57 from 87 balls helped the Volcanoes, who resumed day two on 157 for two to post 341 all out.

John’s knock included five fours and three sixes as he was well supported by Shamar Springer, who contributed a valuable 71 from 131 balls with seven fours.

Overnight batsman Johan Jeremiah added another 14 runs to his 66 to lead all batters with 80. The left-hander eventually fell to off-spinner Peat Salmon following a brilliant catch by Brown at short leg after hitting eleven fours and a six.

Sunil Ambris added 15 runs to his overnight 30 after hitting six fours and a six.

Pacer Bryan was the star with the ball for the Scorpions after he picked up a career-best four wickets for 64 runs in 23 overs. Salmon ended with three wickets for 78 runs while Marquino Mindley picked up the last two wickets of the innings to finish with two for 60.

Over at Chedwin Park, where play finally got under way after there was no play on Wednesday, the Barbados Pride, on the back of 139 from Kevin Wickham, posted 344 for eight declared against the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC). Jonathan Drakes made 84. CCC reached 10 for one at stumps.

Other scores at close on the second day of the first-round matches in the West Indies Championship:

At Conaree Cricket Centre in Basseterre, St Kitts:

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 215 for four (Jason Mohammed 100 not out, Tion Webster 50; Ronsford Beaton 2-39) vs Guyana Harpy Eagles.

At Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts:

Leeward Islands Hurricanes 137 (Jeremiah Louis 45, Terence Warde 28; Joshua James 3-11, Ashmead Nedd 2-3, Johann Layne 2-18); Cricket West Indies Academy 60 for two (Mbeki Joseph 30 not out).