Our batting was atrocious – Powell

Jamaica Scorpions captain Rovman Powell said his team's run chase against the Guyana Jaguars was atrocious as the team suffered their second loss in the Regional Super 50 tournament at the Coolidge cricket ground in Antigua.

The Scorpions, who were chasing a formidable 300 runs to win, folded for 190 in 43.5 overs and lost by 109 runs, despite a battling 48 from 55 balls from Andre McCarthy and an unbeaten 24 from 39 balls from Jamie Merchant.

It was the second straight loss for the Jamaican franchise, who remain rooted at the bottom of the standings without a point on the board.

"It's atrocious, we have to find ways as batters to get partnerships and once we can get partnerships we can get momentum. Without the partnerships, we will always struggle, "said Powell.

The only bright spot in the Scorpions run chase, was a 53 run fourth-wicket partnership between Powell, who made 32, and McCarthy, who took the team from 63 for three to 116 for four.

Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie continued his good form in the tournament, as he was the pick of the bowlers, bagging four for 55 from his 10 overs.

Soft dismissals

There were two wickets each for pacers Romario Shepherd and Nial Smith.

Powell lamented the soft dismissals which was the catalyst for the team's poor outing with the bat.

"It started from the openers and it came right down and hurt the middle order, it's just for us now to go back to the drawing board and hope for the coming games we can better that, " added Powell.

The Jaguars who opted to bat first, had Christopher Barnwell to thank for their score of 299 for nine, as the right-hander hit his maiden List 'A' century, which came off 90 balls.

Barnwell, who made 107 with four fours and six sixes, shared in two crucial partnerships after the Guyanese franchise was struggling at 21 for three.

He added 91 for the fourth wicket with Akshaya Persaud who made 25 and then put on 88 runs with Anthony Bramble who contributed 69.

Left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell bagged three for 73 from his 10 overs.

In the meantime, the Scorpions will have their work cut out when they next face the Windward Islands Volcanoes and Jamaican coach Andrew Richardson.

Powell says there were still some positives to take into that game on tomorrow..

"I think Jamie Merchant in his first game of the season did well and that is positive, I also thought we didn't field as bad, so it's just for us to take those two positives and see what we can come up with in the next the game," he said.