RAIN RAIN RAIN
... Delays affect Scorpions, Volcanoes clash
THE BATTING frailties of Jamaica Scorpions were again exposed at Sabina Park yesterday.
Sent it to bat on a grassy but even-paced batting pitch, the Scorpions struggled at 83 for six at the end of a rainhit first day of their Digicel WICB Regional Four-day Championship clash against the Windward Islands.
The batting, which started with John Campbell and Guyanese-born Trevon Griffith opening, had its only resistance from the former, who struck 32 runs against the controversial off-spin of Shane Shillingford and leftarm fast bowler Delorn Johnson.
Shillingford, who has been reported at the international level for an illegal bowling action, and has since done rehabilitation work, ended with majestic figures of three for 11 off seven overs, and Johnson; two for 30 off 13.
OPENING FIXTURE
The not-out batsmen at the end of play, are Devon Thomas, who after entering in the number three position, is on 18, and leg-spinner Damion Jacobs, on one.
Jamaica, in their opening fixture under new coach Robert Samuels, made 208 and 147 against Guyana last weekend.
This follows a series of similar average and belowpar scores over the past three seasons, which saw the team finish fourth, fifth and third, respectively, under then coach Junior Bennett.
The day began with Jamaica handing debuts to fast bowlers Reynard Leveridge and teenage pacer Oshane Thomas.
Leveridge, a recent surprise pick for West Indies ‘A’ after impressing regional selectors during a West Indies training session, replaced the injured Jason Dawes, while Thomas, a member the recent title-winning Jamaica Tallawahs, replaced Marquino Mindley on the morning of the match.
SCORING OPPURTUNITIES
Mindley is said to have picked up an illness overnight.
The toss was won by the Windwards, who in short order imposed them self on the game with the opening pair of Johnson and Mervin Matthew limiting runs-scoring opportunities.
It also saw Johnson dismissing Griffith caught at slip for six off 32 balls with the score on 19. Devon Thomas thereafter entered the fray and along with Campbell the pair putting on 39 for the second wicket.
However, after getting into a groove Campbell was caught off Shillingford with the total on 58.
A batting collapse, which yielded a mere 21 runs for four additional wickets then pursued, pushing Jamaica to 79 for six, before rain again brought an early closure.
Play is scheduled to resume today at 9:30am weather permitting.