Scorpions lower order fight back on day one

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

BARBADOS PRIDE and Trinidad & Tobago Red Force are in the ascendancy against the Jamaica Scorpions and Leeward Islands Hurricanes, respectively, at the close of play on the opening day of their third-round encounters.

The Pride used a balanced bowling attack to dismiss the Scorpions for just 231, while the Red Force produced a dominant display with the bat to amass 326 for three before rain brought an end to the day’s proceedings.

At Kensington Oval: Off spinner Chaim Holder took three wickets, while captain Kraigg Brathwaite, Kemar Roach, and Jomel Warrican each took two as the Scorpions’ batting woes continued.

Things could have been much worse for the visitors after they found themselves in real trouble at 138 for seven had it not been for a 75-run partnership between Odean Smith and Jeavor Royal.

Smith hit a counterattacking, even half-century off 42 balls, and Royal scored 43 from 89 balls to get their side up to a respectable total.

The Scorpions’ collapse didn’t seem to be on the cards when they were 64 for one with Carlos Brown and Kirk McKenzie at the crease, following the early dismissal of captain John Campbell.

But pacer Matthew Forde bowled Brown for 29, and McKenzie was caught behind off the bowling of Warrican to see the Scorpions slip to 75 for three.

Jermaine Blackwood and Javelle Glenn added 48 runs for the fourth wicket before Holder claimed both in quick succession along with the wicket of Brad Barnes, and Roach dismissed Daniel Beckford for a duck as the visitors slumped to 138-for seven.

However, Smith and Royal defied the Pride’s bowlers and helped the Scorpions past the 200 mark.

Brathwaite then took two wickets in the space of three balls with his part-time off-spin to wrap up the tail.

The Pride reached nine without loss in the three overs they faced, 222 runs in arrears.

At Warner Park: West Indies wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva and Jason Mohammed hit unbeaten centuries to put Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in a strong position against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the end of day one.

Da Silva got some much-needed runs under his belt, stroking an unbeaten 120, while Mohammed finished on 104 not out, to propel the Red Force to 326 for three.

The pair has so far added 212 runs for the fourth wicket after coming together with the score at 114 for three.