Campbell, McKenzie bludgeon Pride in unlikely comeback

Conventional wisdom would have suggested that the final day of the West Indies Championship opener between the Jamaica Scorpions and the Barbados Pride was headed for a tame draw. Scorpions Captain John Campbell and Kirk McKenzie Jr did not get the memo.

In one of the most audacious run chases in recent regional first-class history, the Jamaica Scorpions chased down 324 runs in just two sessions to defeat the Barbados Pride by seven wickets yesterday, turning what looked like a gritty Barbados declaration into a demolition job for the ages.

Resuming the final day at 255 for five, the Pride, powered by Kevin Wickham’s second consecutive century, declared just before lunch at 317 for eight.

Wickham, who made 153 in the first innings, followed up with a breathtaking 108 not out. Shamar Springer chipped in with 54, against Marquino Mindley, 3-48, and two wickets apiece from Peat Salmon and Abhijai Mansingh, who kept things tidy.

That left the Scorpions needing 324 runs from 74 overs on a flat and dry Chedwin Park surface.

The Scorpions began in calm, calculated fashion, going to lunch at 30 without loss.

By tea, the scoreboard read 145 without loss, with Campbell looking composed on 64, and McKenzie Jr on a solid 60. But the real fireworks were yet to come.

After the break, the Scorpions shifted gears with breathtaking brutality. Campbell brought up his century off just 144 balls, a masterclass in controlled aggression featuring nine fours and four sixes.

He eventually fell for a magnificent 126, when he was caught by Kyle Mayers at deep long-off, but not before he and McKenzie had piled on a monstrous 242 for the first wicket.

Campbell’s innings included 11 fours and six sixes, as he peppered the Pride bowlers, who simply had no answers.

Odean Smith came and went for three, caught behind off Jair McAllister, but the damage had already been done.

NINE FOURS AND A SIX

Through it all, McKenzie Jr was a rock, despite suffering a shoulder injury while fielding. Starting cautiously, he grew in stature alongside his captain, reaching his own century off 151 balls with nine fours and a six.

When Campbell fell, McKenzie assumed control, playing straight, picking high-percentage shots, and refusing to let Barbados back into the contest.

At the final drinks break, Jamaica were 309 for two in the 59th over. Carlos Brown played a tidy hand of 21 before falling lbw to Jomel Warrican at 316 for three. But McKenzie would have the final word.

With victory in sight, the young left-hander launched a monstrous six to seal the win, finishing unbeaten on 135 from 180 balls with 13 fours and two sixes.

The Scorpions had reached 326 for three, and the Pride, physically battered with several players nursing injuries, could only watch as a successful chase became a matter of when.

An elated Campbell was almost speechless afterwards.

“After we lost the first innings after coming so close, we knew it was going to be a one-innings game, so we decided to take the game to Barbados,” Campbell said.

“The way Kirk and I batted was really commendable. I knew once I got in, I would score runs, and we wanted to take it as close as possible, and I am glad we came out on top.”

McKenzie Jr, whose composed aggression belied his years, admitted the morale had dipped when the Scorpions conceded a first-innings deficit.

“We started slow, but I decided to continue to play straight and play high-percentage shots and stick with my captain,” McKenzie said.

“The morale was a bit down when we lost the first innings, but we kept it together as a group. We said it’s not over until it’s over.”

For the Pride, it was a bitter pill to swallow. Wickham’s heroics of 153 and 108 not out in the match were rendered footnote material.

And for the Scorpions, the victory will be spoken about for generations, as the teams now head to Sabina Park for game two, starting on Sunday.