With the Jamaica Scorpions coaching staff hinting that good performances will be heavily considered, five half-centuries were scored in the opening three-day trial match at Sabina Park.

Jamaica Team ‘A’, led by discarded West Indies Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood, were all out for 206 runs in 69.5 overs after being asked to take first strike by Jamaica Team ‘B’ captain Jeavor Royal.

Opener Carlos Brown of St Catherine scored a patient knock of 66 runs off 195 balls while captain Blackwood hit an aggressive 62 off 75 balls.

Off-spinner Peat Salmon claimed five wickets for 64 runs in 25.5 overs.

In response, Royal’s team would find the going even tougher as they faced early setbacks by losing wickets at regular intervals. Salmon’s counter-attacking innings of 48 runs off 52 balls provided some hope, but Ramaal Lewis wreaked havoc, finishing with three wickets for Jamaica Team ‘B’ who managed to score 153 runs in 43.5 overs.

With the rain interrupting play, Team Jamaica ‘A’ resumed their second innings aiming to build a substantial lead. Blackwood was once again among the runs contributing a valuable 43 runs with wicketkeeper Romain Morris leading the charge with an impressive 87 off 93 balls to push the team to 266 in 77.2 overs. Royal was the pick of the bowlers, claiming four crucial wickets.

Chasing a target of 320 runs for victory, opener Kirk McKenzie put in a solid shift at the top of the innings with 52 while Nkrumah Bonner made 66 in a total of 199 for five in 30 overs.

Rain would play spoilsport again, forcing an early end to the match. The Jamaica Scorpions will break for the holidays and return in early January for the second trial game to help select Jamaica’s team for the 2024 West Indies Championship.