With no traditional first-innings points on offer, getting as many bowling points as possible will be the primary aim for the Jamaica Scorpions heading into today’s fourth and final day of their Digicel WICB Four-day Championship showdown against front-runner Barbados Pride at Sabina Park.
This is according to Jamaica’s head coach, Robert Samuels.
The encounter, which has been affected by rain and a waterlogged outfield from the opening day, is currently headed for a draw after Barbados closed the third day on 153 for four in their first innings.
This is in reply to 224 posted by Jamaica in their first innings, of which in-form opener John Campbell made 60; all-rounder Derval Green, 40; and captain Nikita Miller, 24 not out.
Out-of-favour West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach, with three for 27, and his new ball partner Justin Greaves, two for 49, claimed most wickets.
“There’s no first-innings points, so the bowling and batting points and fast-bowling points, are now important,” said Samuels.
“Four wickets down for 150-odd runs, Barbados are a little bit ahead, but we hope to pull it back tomorrow, get the other wickets, get some points, and then look to bat out the day,” he added.
Resuming the day on 157 for eight, Jamaica were lifted past the all-important 200-runs landmark, which offers one batting point, by Miller and Green.
The duo, who came together after the fall of fast bowler Reynard Leveridge’s wicket with the total on 167, put on 57 runs for the final wicket.
Green hit three fours during his 56-balls innings, which lasted one hour and 11 minutes, while Miller gathered two fours off 113 balls during his two hour and 32 minutes stay.
“It was a good knock by the skipper, who was not out at the end, and Derval Green, who came in at number 11,” commented Samuels.
“Their knocks helped to put us in a decent position where we earned a batting point, which, in recent years, has been very elusive. We just now need maximum bowling points.”
AT QUEEN’S PARK OVAL: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force reached 287 for seven in their first innings before rain brought a premature end to the third day of their third-round game against Leeward Islands Hurricanes.
Only 35 overs were possible because of rain.
Scores: Red Force 287 for seven (Kyle Hope 86, Isaiah Rajah 69, Roshon Primus 42 not out; Kieran Powell 3-29).
SCOREBOARD
SCORPIONS 1st Innings
(overnight 157 for eight)
J. Campbell c Phillips b Williams 60
S. Thomas c Brooks b Roach 2
J. Blackwood c Chase b Greaves 0
D. Thomas lbw b Greaves 3
+C. Walton c wkp Rampersad b Roach 5
A. McCarthy c Brooks b Warrican 22
F. Allen c Roach b Williams 19
D. Jacobs c Brooks b Chase 30
*N. Miller not out 24
R. Leveridge b Roach 1
D. Green c Warrican b Charles 40
Extras (b6, lb9, w3) 18
Total (all out, 86.2 overs) 224
Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-4, 3-16, 4-21, 5-52, 6-90, 7-129, 8-156, 9-167, 10-224.
Bowling: Roach 18-8-27-3, Greaves 17-4-49-2, Stoute 7-2-26-0, Warrican 18-3-56-1, Charles 14.2.4-29-1, Williams 10-3-16-2, Chase 2-1-6-1.
PRIDE 1st Innings
O. Phillips c Campbell b Green 4
A. Alleyne b Allen 66
S. Brooks b Jacobs 44
R. Chase lbw b Miller 23
*K Stoute not out 0
+M Rampersad not out 0
Extras (b5, lb9, w2) 16
Total (4 wkts, 48.3 overs) 153
To bat: K Williams, J Warrican, K Roach, J Greaves, N Charles.
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-116, 3-153, 4-153.
Bowling: Leveridge 4-0-17-0, Green 8-3-17-1, Blackwood 1-0-1-0, Jacobs 14-1-52-1, Leveridge 19.3-2-47-0, Allen 2-0-5-1.
Position: Pride trail by 71 runs with six wickets intact.
Toss: Pride.
Umpires: J. Williams, N. Duguid.
