The JAMAICA Scorpions produced a disciplined effort with the ball to restrict the Leeward Islands Hurricanes to 163 for six on the first day of the opening round of matches in the 2023 West Indies Championship at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.
The Paul Palmer-led side will be in the early hunt for the remaining wickets on day two today, with dangerous Rahkeem Cornwall the main target as he is unbeaten on 29 off 71 balls with four wickets.
Also at the crease is Jeremiah Louis, who is not out on 17 off 84 balls as the pair have, so far, added 46 unbroken runs for the seventh wicket.
Debutant leg-spinner Abhijai Mansingh has so far taken two important wickets, that of captain Jahmar Hamilton for a top score of 40, as well as middle-order batsman Terrance Warde, who was hit with 10 wickets.
Mansingh, who was not named in the original XI, has replaced Alwyn Williams, who was ruled out of the competition on medical grounds, according to a Cricket West Indies statement. The change was approved by the match officials and captains in accordance with ICC rules governing first-class matches.
It was the Mariners, who got the ball for the Scorpions after being sent on the field. Marquino Mindley batted first as opener Kieran Powell caught and hit for nine with just 11 runs on the board.
Eight runs later, pacer Gordon Bryan had Kacey Carty caught behind for two before off-spinner Jamie Merchant had Kofi James caught at deep midwicket for 15 for 40 for three.
Hamilton and opener Montcin Hodge added 59 runs for the fourth wicket before the out-of-form Akim Fraser had Hodge caught by wicketkeeper Aldane Thomas for 37.
After Mansingh’s double strike, which cost 27 runs in 14 overs, Cornwall and Louis batted for the rest of the day.
Scorpions coach Andrew Richardson praised the efforts of his players in what he described as a good counter.
“Our fielders did a really good job of keeping it tight and it would have been an even better day if we had picked up two more wickets. The second day will be critical, especially the first hour.”
Meanwhile, at Northsound, the Guyana Harpy Eagles ended the opening day against the Barbados Pride on 205 for five with opener Matthew Nandu leading the way with an unbeaten 70 off 219 deliveries. The left-hander has hit nine fours so far. Kevin Sinclair is not out on 28 against two wickets each for Akeem Jordon and Chaim Holder.
In Grenada, the Windward Islands Volcanoes trail Trinidad and Tobago by 12 runs after their second score of 60 not out as they posted 243 for the first time. Kimani Melius not out on 38 and Jerlani Robinson, 19. Earlier, Tyvn Walcott made an unbeaten 87 and Sunil Ambris 55 in Volcano’s first innings.
Terrance Hinds and Bryan Charles took four wickets each for T&T, who made 315 for their side at the crease. Amir Jangoo top scored with 86 with Tion Webster getting 79 and Hinds 52.
Ryan John took five wickets for 18 runs, with Darius Martin grabbing two wickets for 40 runs for the Windwards.
