Campbell, Garvey shine for Scorpions on rainy opening day

Openers John Campbell and Garth Garvey will be hoping to pick up from where they left off when play resumes today in the rain-hit Cricket West Indies-Digicel Four-day Championship clash between Jamaica Scorpions and Barbados Pride at Sabina Park.

Playing together for the first time, the duo are both eyeing half-centuries with the fairly experienced Campbell not out on 42 and Garvey, 31, as Jamaica, who won the toss and elected to bat, were left in a good position of 77 without loss at the end of day one.

The third-round encounter, which started approximately one hour after the scheduled 2 p.m. start of play, saw only 14 overs being bowled due to persistent rain. Play is scheduled to restart at 1:30 p.m. on the second day.

Campbell, 24, who has 38 first-class matches to his name, but struggled against touring Sri Lanka 'A', while representing West Indies 'A' recently, has so far slammed eight fours.

First-class debut

The 27-year-old Garvey, in the meantime, who made his first-class debut three weeks ago and is playing in his third match, has hit five fours.

West Indies off-spinner Ashley Nurse with none for seven off two overs has been the most economical bowler for Barbados thus far.

Jamaica, who lost their opening match away to defending champions Guyana Jaguars, but drew their second against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in their second, left out opener Trevon Griffiths and left-arm spinner Paul Harrison from their 13-member squad.

This resulted in West Indies 'A' representatives John Campbell, Damion Jacobs, Reynard Leveridge, and Oshane Thomas making a return to the team,and part-time wicketkeeper batsman, 24-year-old American Steven Taylor, making his first-class debut.

The Scorpions batting line-up, in addition to Campbell, is being led by sidelined West Indies batsman, Assad Fudadin, Brandon King, Taylor, and captain Paul Palmer.

Barbados, who are coming off a draw and subsequent defeat in their opening two matches, has welcomed the return of their lone West Indies 'A' team representative in captain and batsman, Shamar Brooks.