Blackwood a welcome addtition to Scorpions

Jamaica Scorpions captain Paul Palmer Jr believes the addition of West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood is a welcome boost for the team as they prepare for the second half of the West Indies Cricket Board First-Class Tournament.

Blackwood, having recently returned from Australia with the regional team, is set to make his seasonal debut for the Scorpions after being named in a 13-man squad to face the Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

The matchup will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, starting Thursday.

"He (Blackwood) is

expected to add more strength to our batting, given the experience he has gained at the highest level, and his ability to bat," said Palmer Jr.

"We are therefore looking forward to him joining us so that we can post the kind of totals we would like, as we seek to make a final run at the title," he added.

Nestled on 53 points, the Scorpions are third in the standings, 32 points behind title favourites, Guyana Jaguars, with Barbados Pride second on 63 points.

Five rounds of return-leg matches remain in the six-team tournament.

Blackwood, who experienced a dip in form while in Australia, is one of two new additions to the Scorpions squad, which also sees the recall of Kirk Edwards.

The other newcomer is batsman, Shacaya Thomas.

Edwards was forced to miss the team's fifth encounter against the Jaguars in December due to an injury.

"To have senior player - Edwards around is always good. It helps to motivate players," Palmer Jr said.

Jamaica Scorpions squad: Paul Palmer Jr (captain), John Campbell, Kirk Edwards, Jermaine Blackwood, Andre McCarthy, Devon Thomas, Carlton Baugh Jr, David Bernard Jr, Nikita Miller, Damion Jacobs, Sheldon Cottrell, Marquino Mindley, Shacaya Thomas.

- J.L.