Scorpions look for positive Super50 start
CAPTAIN OF Jamaica Scorpions Nikita Miller is hopeful of a positive start when the team takes on Combined Colleges and Campuses (CCC) Marooners in the opening game of the 2017 Regional Super50 Tournament at Three W’s Oval in Barbados.
The contest, which is set to start 8 a.m. Jamaica time, is one of two scheduled on the opening day.
The other match, the feature, is set to bowl off at 12:30 p.m., and will see last year’s beaten finalist Barbados Pride playing Guyana Jaguars in a day and night showdown at Kensington Oval.
The match-ups are Zone B encounters with Zone A equivalents, which will be contested in Antigua and Barbuda, set to get under way tomorrow.
“It’s always very good to start on the front-foot as you don’t want to be chasing in the competition,” stated Miller following the team’s final practice session yesterday. “The hope therefore is to try and start with a win and build from that.”
Jamaica, which last won the title six years ago, will enter t he game as favourites giving their cadre of West Indies and West Indies ‘A’ representatives.
Topping the list is 32-year-old speedster Jerome Taylor, who after being dropped by the West Indies, is seeking to demonstrate that he still has what it takes to perform at a high level, and emerging batsman Jermaine Blackwood.
The others with West Indies caps are spin bowler Miller, wicketkeeper-batsman Chadwick Walton and young allrounder, Rovman Powell.
The ‘A’ team representatives are batsmen John Campbell and Andre McCarthy, leg-spinner Damion Jacobs and fast bowler, Reynard Leveridge.
Also a part of the squad, and who is expected to play a key role, is exciting young batsman Brandon King, who is coming off a recent quick-fire double century in the regional four-day tournament.
RIGHT DIRECTION
“Things are heading in the right direction,” asserted Miller, while pointing to the training sessions the team has had so far in Barbados.
“We had two training sessions, and I think it was good, and I can say we are fully prepared for the game.’’
Miller also spoke of the challenge that he anticipates from the CCC, saying that they are generally a competitive unit. However, he believes the Scorpions are up for it.
“I am not too familiar with the team, but I am sure one of our senior players, in Walton, who is a former captain of the CCC, can give us valuable info that will help us,” he said.
This, Miller added, coupled with the ‘balance’ of the team is therefore a good combination that could lead to their success.
Jamaica Scorpions: Nikita Miller (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Gavon Brown, John Campbell, Andre McCarthy, Damion Jacobs, Brandon King, Reynard Leveridge, Rovman Powell, Damani Sewell, Jerome Taylor, Steven Taylor, Devon Thomas, Chadwick Walton; Robert Samuels (head coach).
Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners: Jamal Smith (captain), Cassius Burton Jr, Raymond Bynoe, Kyle Corbin, Mark Deyal, Larry Edward, Keon Harding, Nino Henry, Ryan Hinds, Amir Jangoo, Aaron Jones, Jermaine Levy, Vikash Mohan, Christopher Powell; Floyd Reifer (head coach).