Scorpions struggling on day one

The Jamaica Scorpions batting continues to pose a problem for coach Andre Coley as the side struggled against the spin of Veerasammy Permaul of the Guyana Jaguars on day one of their Regional Four Day match at the Guyana National Stadium.

Batting first, the Scorpions were dismissed for 187 in their innings with Jermaine Blackwood getting 81.

The Scorpions were in early trouble at eight for two in the ninth over. Guyanese Assad Fudadin was the first to go, bowled by off-spinner Kevin Sinclair for three after which captain John Campbell went leg before wicket off the bowling of Raymon Reifer for five.

Blackwood and Paul Palmer Jr added 40 runs for the third wicket, but when Palmer went for 15 right after lunch, the Scorpions were staring down another low score at 48 for three.

Blackwood then found another useful partner in Nkrumah Bonner, and the pair batted resolutely to add 74 runs.

When Bonner went for 29, Blackwood and wicketkeeper Denis Smith (22) added another 42 runs for the fifth wicket. Permaul would wrap up the lower order to grab four wickets, including that of debutant Pete Salmon for zero. The Guyana Jaguars were 17 without loss at the close.