BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Chadwick Walton’s positive half-century put Jamaica Scorpions in a strong position to pull off a challenging run chase on today’s final day of their final round game against Barbados Pride.
Set 341 for victory at Kensington Oval, Scorpions finished day three here Monday on 114 for one with West Indies batsman Walton unbeaten on 70.
The right-hander has so far faced 138 balls, in just under 2-1/2 hours and lashed six fours and three sixes.
He has put on 89 in an unbroken second wicket stand with Guyanese Trevon Griffith who was unbeaten on 25.
The partnership was crucial after left-hander John Campbell perished chealy for 10 at 25 for one, lbw to off-spinner Ashley Nurse playing back.
Earlier, left-arm spinners Nikita Miller (4-46) and Fabian Allen (4-47) had wrecked Pride’s innings to send the hosts tumbling for a disappointing 187 in their second innings.
Captain Kevin Stoute top-scored with 52 while first innings century-maker Justin Greaves chipped in with 34 but Pride never really recovered from a top order slide which left them on 99 for five.
Stoute faced 102 deliveries and counted six fours while Greaves struck three boundaries in a 48-ball knock, as they put on 53 for the sixth wicket.
But once Greaves was caught at slip by Jermaine Blackwood off Allen, Pride lost their last five wickets for 35 runs.
Pride had started poorly when opener Kyle Corbin was caught at the wicket off Allen in the fourth over of the morning for nine with the total on 15 but Jonathan Carter (19) joined Anthony Alleyne (22) to add 34 for the second wicket and revive the innings somewhat.
The left-handed Carter had faced 24 balls and hit four boundaries when he missed a defensive prod at Miller and was lbw and Ryan Wiggins (4) and Alleyne then followed quickly, to leave Pride tottering on 65 for four.
Stoute began his rescue mission when he put on 34 or the fifth wicket with Kenroy Williams who made 14 before falling lbw to Miller, in the final over before lunch.
PRIDE 1st innings 377
Scorpions 1st Innings 224
Pride 2nd Innings
K Corbin c wkp Thomas b Allen 9
A Alleyne c Griffith b Campbell 22
J Carter lbw b Miller 19
R Wiggins c Griffith b Green 4
K Williams lbw b Miller 14
*K Stoute c Blackwood b Miller 52
J Greaves c Blackwood b Allen 34
A Nurse lbw b Allen 6
+M Rampersaud b Allen 0
J Warrican not out 5
S Benn c Bulli b Miller 9
Extras (b7, lb6) 13
TOTAL (all out, 57.1 overs) 187
Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-49, 3-56, 4-65, 5-99, 6-152, 7-164, 8-172, 9-172, 10-187.
Bowling: Taylor 2-0-12-0, Allen 14-3-47-4, Green 8-1-21-1, Miller 22.1-4-46-4, Campbell 8-0-26-1, Bulli 3-0-22-0.
SCORPIONS 2nd innings (target: 341 runs)
C Walton not out 70
J Campbell lbw b Nurse 10
T Griffith not out 25
Extras (b8, w1) 9
TOTAL (1 wkt, 42 overs) 114
Fall of wickets: 1-25.
Bowling: Nurse 12-5-36-1, Greaves 6-2-13-0 (w1), Benn 13-2-41-0, Warrican 9-3-12-0, Williams 2-0-4-0.
Position: Scorpions require a further 227 runs for victory.
