Masterful Walton century leads Scorpions’ resurgence
VETERAN JAMAICA Scorpions opener Chadwick Walton had to pull on all his experience as he stroked a magnificent century to lead the hosts to 259 for six, replying to the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) first innings score of 307 all out, to trail by 48 runs after day two of their West Indies Championship match at Sabina Park.
Walton, 38, batted for close to six hours yesterday and looked at ease against the College men after scoring 163 runs, which included 16 fours and five sixes. His lengthy vigil ended late in the day when he prodded up to leg spinner Zishan Motara and was caught at bat-pad, which prompted the umpires to call time on the day’s play.
For Walton, the innings, his highest in firstclass cricket, was a result of the hard work he put in before the game.
“I went back to the drawing board and did some work with coach Robert Samuels and, as you can see, it paid off,” said Walton.
The Scorpions’ innings was highlighted by a century stand between Walton and his opening partner Carlos Brown, with the pair adding 169 runs for the first wicket.
Brown, who took some time to get into his innings, got to 48 before he was bowled by Motara.
While Walton drove and pulled his way to his century, the other Jamaica Scorpions batters found runs hard to come by, with Test batsman Kirk McKenzie going bowled by Sion Hackett for nine and Nkrumah Bonner controversially given out caught off Motara for six at 217 for three.
Captain Jermaine Blackwood’s torrid time with the bat also continued, as he was caught at slip by Jonathan Carter off Motara for eight.
Abhijai Mansingh looked to stay at the wicket with Walton late in the day and batted 43 balls to get to nine, but Carter had him fending down the leg side to have him caught behind to leave the Scorpions in a spot of bother at 258 for five.
Nightwatchman Gordon Bryan endured a tricky period in the fading light as he was struck on the arm by a rising Carter delivery, but he will return on today’s third day unbeaten on nought.
Motara has so far picked up four wickets for 69 runs for CCC, who earlier added 47 runs to their overnight score of 260 for seven.
Carter carried his bat to end not out on 135 as Bryan and Ojay Shields picked up three wickets each.
Over at Kensington Park, Barbados Pride were 72 for four in their second innings, trailing the Windward Islands Volcanoes by 39 runs after the Volcanoes piled up 325 in their first knock, thanks to 86 from Jeremy Solozano and 72 from Sunil Ambris. Leg spinner Jomel Warrican took five wickets for 59 runs.
At Warner Park in St Kitts, Leeward Islands Hurricanes lead Guyana Harpy Eagles by 216 with nine second-innings wickets standing.
Hurricanes 352 (Mikyle Louis 113); Ronaldo Alimohamed 5 for 69) and 52 for one. Eagles 188 (Ronaldo Alimohamed 41; Daniel Doram 4-40, Jeremiah Louis 3-42).
At Conaree Cricket Centre in St Kitts: Cricket West Indies Academy trail Trinidad & Tobago Red Force by 82 with seven second-innings wickets standing.
CWI Academy 163 (Teddy Bishop 65; Jayden Seales 3-26) and 84 for three (Mbeki Joseph 34 not out; Bryan Charles 2-7).
Red Force 329 (Jyd Goolie 113, Vikash Mohan 54; Nedd 6-78).