Scorpions ready for Jaguars test
CAPTAIN NIKITA Miller says staying in front will be the top priority of leaders Jamaica Scorpions heading into their sixth round WICB Four-day Tournament fixture against twotime defending champions Guyana Jaguars at Sabina Park, starting today.
The top-of-the-table contest will see Jamaica with a record of three wins, a draw and a defeat, looking to extend a three point advantage over the Jaguars, who are second following results of two wins, two draws and a defeat.
The 10-round tournament is completed by Barbados Pride in third, Windward Islands Volcanoes in fourth, Leeward Islands Hurricanes in fifth and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in sixth and last position.
“It’s a big game between two teams who have ambitions of winning the tournament,’’ was the way Miller summed up the contest.
“But we are ahead and they are chasing, and the hope is that at the end of the game it will remain that way.’’
The Scorpions, who after losing their opener away to the Jaguars, has since grown from strength to strength and are coming off back-to-back wins, and will be seeking to continue that momentum.
BRUSHED ASIDE
This, however, according to Miller, can only be had if his batsmen continue to show their worth as they did at home to Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and away to the Leeward Islands Hurricanes.
Led by enterprising young batsmen Brandon King, opener John Campbell, Jermaine Blackwood and Andre McCarthy, the Scorpions brushed aside the challenge of the Hurricanes by an innings and 73 runs, while against the Red Force they were 132 runs victors.
“In our recent successful games it is our batting that brought us through, and gave us the confidence we really needed,’’ outlined Miller.
“We are therefore looking forward to this to continue, as our bowling is always there and there about.’’
In addition to the left-arm spin of Miller and the leg-spin of Damion Jacobs, the Scorpions bowling unit has been bolstered by the return of fast bowlers, Jerome Taylor and Marquino Mindley.
The pair has replaced the injured Reynard Leveridge, and Gavon Brown, respectively.
Guyana with Shivnarine Chanderpaul in their line-up will additionally look to emerging batsmen Leon Johnson, Vishaul Singh and Rajendra Chandrika to spearhead their batting, while as it relates to their bowling much will be expected of left-arm spinners GudakeshMotie and VeerasammyPermaul.
“It should be a close contest as Guyana is a good team and have good players in their team,’’ Miller said.