Scorpions take third after big win over Hurricanes
THE JAMAICA Scorpions, as was expected, wrapped up an easy innings and 118-run win over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes to finish tied for third in the curtailed 2020 West Indies Championship.
With the final two rounds suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Scorpions ended the eightround campaign on 91.8 points, the same as the Guyana Jaguars with the Barbados Pride coming out on top with 134.8 points followed by Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in second with 94.6 points.
In the meantime, Derval Green grabbed three of the last four Leeward Islands Hurricanes wickets and ended with careerbest figures of 5-75 from 22.1 overs, the first time he has taken five wickets in a first-class innings – the Hurricanes were bowled out for 183 in their second innings about an hour before lunch on the final day of the eighth round match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Starting the day on 134 for six, Hurricanes suffered an early setback, when experienced opener Montcin Hodge was caught behind off Green for the top score of 61, nibbling outside the off stump, after adding just one to his overnight score.
Marquino Mindley trapped West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph leg before wicket for a duck in the following over and three overs later, Green had Hayden Walsh Jr caught at first slip for 35 to continue the slide.
Hurricanes were 154 for nine, and Jeremiah Louis (29) indulged himself towards the end before Green cleaned him up to bring the match to a close and the Scorpions completed the season sweep.
ALMOST PERFECT
The victory was quite a satisfying one for assistant coach Nikita Miller who said the team almost played a perfect game.
“I would say that the performance was close to one of those perfect performances, for the first time his season, we got all available batting points and our bowlers did the business, so we are quite pleased to have ended the season on this note,” said Miller.
The former captain said there was still room for improvement, however, he and head coach Andre Coley were pleased with what they have seen in their first season in charge of the young team.
“I would say that this season has been more towards the plus side than the negative when you look at it, we had the leading runscorer in the tournament in Blackwood and we have three batsmen and two bowlers in the top ten so that is a sign of improvement.”