Scorpions look to complete double over Volcanoes

Stand-in captain for the Jamaica Scorpions Paul Palmer is backing his team to complete the double over Windward Islands Volcanoes when the two meet in a return-leg match of the CWI-Digicel Four-day Championship at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia today.

Jamaica, led by a 13-wicket haul from regular captain Nikita Miller, recorded a convincing 10-wickets win over the Volcanoes when the teams met at Sabina Park in the fifth round.

"Playing at home, the Windwards will be tough, but we are seeing signs that our team is improving, and I am looking forward to us going over there and getting a positive result,'' Palmer said ahead of the seventh-round match.

The Scorpions, who are currently second in the six-team tournament behind runaway leaders Guyana Jaguars, will enter the encounter with mixed emotions, having drawn their last matchup against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at Sabina Park.

However, with John Campbell scoring 155 for his third first-class hundred, and Palmer 135 for his maiden century, their batting did well, having posted 535 runs in their first and only innings in the encounter.

Batsman Brandon King, 63, debutant fast bowling all-rounder, Odean Smith, 50 off 19 balls, and debutant wicketkeeper Aldane Thomas, 49, also got among the runs, which, according to Palmer, augurs well for the confidence of the team.

"It's good to see players performing with the bat as for years, that has been bothering us,'' he said.

Process of improvement

"It's just for us now to improve and grow from here, and playing against the Windwards is a good opportunity. I must also say our bowlers have been doing good, as well.''

Fast bowler Reynard Leveridge, in claiming career-best figures, ended with three for 23 against Trinidad, with all-rounder Derval Green and part-time off-spinner Campbell also picking up four wickets apiece.

The Windwards, in their attempts to climb off the foot of the table, will be hoping that the championship's leading runs scorer, opener Devon Thomas, who scored a century against Jamaica, will continue his good form.

Their batting is also set to be propped up with the return of Kirk Edwards, while their bowling will be led by experienced off-spinner Shane Shillingford.

Guyana lead the points table with 97.2 points; Jamaica have 67.8; while rounding off the top three are Trinidad; with 67.6.

The Leewards, 57, Barbados Pride, 56.8, and Windwards, 32.8, complete the standings.

JAMAICA SCORPIONS: Paul Palmer (captain), Fabian Allen, John Campbell, Assad Fudadin, Derval Green, Trevon Griffith, Damion Jacobs, Brandon King, Christopher Lamont, Reynard Leveridge, Odean Smith, Aldaine Thomas, Oraine Williams

WINDWARDS VOLCANOES: Tyrone Theophile (captain), Miles Bascombe, Roland Cato, Kenneth Dember, Kirk Edwards, Donwell Hector, Delorn Johnson, Sherman Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Shane Shillingford, Dennis Smith, Devon Smith, Josh Thomas