Bonner hits century as Scorpions share spoils

For the second game in a row, defiant second innings batting saw the Jamaica Scorpions avoiding defeat after they played to a draw with the Windward Islands Volcanoes at Sabina Park in the Cricket West Indies Regional Four Day tournament yesterday.

Paul Palmer Jr had scored a classy 117 not out in their opening game against Trinidad and Tobago Red force to stave off defeat. This time, it took two more solid centuries to stop the Scorpions from being beaten outright.

167 behind on first innings after being dismissed for 220 in reply to the Volcanoes’ 387, the Scorpions managed 404 for 8 declared in their second innings.

Nkrumah Bonner joined his captain John Campbell, who had scored 102 earlier, by carving out an even unbeaten 100.

Paul Palmer Jr continued his good form, when he made 42 runs.Sherman Lewis was the pick of the Volcanoes bowlers with 3 for 62.

Scorpions head coach Andre Coley was pleased with the way his team fought back, especially with the bat.

Resilience after follow-on

“We showed a lot of resilience after being asked to follow on. That was good. In fact we were able to put ourselves in a position to declare and push for a win. That was good from a batting standpoint,” said Coley.

Asked to get 238 to win outright, the Volcanoes reached 155 for 5 when the game was called off with 10 overs to go.

Devon Smith was the topscorer with 47 runs, while Derval Green took 3 for 30.

Coach of the Volcanoes, former Jamaican pacer Andrew Richardson, was full of praise for both teams.

“It was a very good game. We were basically in control for two days and Jamaica clawed their way back. They came back this morning and showed some fight. Certainly put us under pressure for the last few hours. However, our batting stood up ... it was an excellent game of cricket,” Richardson said.

The Scorpions will next play Barbados Pride at Sabina Park starting on Thursday.

Yesterday’s drawn result leaves Jamaica in fifth position after two rounds.

Leading the charge is the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force with 29.6 points followed by the Volcanoes on 29.4. The Barbados Pride are next in third position with 25.6 points.

They are followed by the defending champions the Guyana Jaguars, who are on 24.8 points. The Scorpions have 14.8 points while the Leeward Island Hurricane are at the bottom of the table with 4.2 points.