Runs aplenty in third Jamaica Scorpions trial

One century and seven half-centuries were scored over the three days of the Jamaica Scorpions trial game which ended on Monday at the Kensington Cricket Club.

Jermaine Blackwood's XI and John Campbell's XI played to a draw in the third Jamaica Cricket Association practice match, which is being used to help select Jamaica's team for next month's regional four-day championships.

St Mary batsman Alwyn Williams did his cause for selection no harm as he hit 124 for Blackwood's XI, who batted first and posted 406 all out. St Catherine batsman Oraine Williams chipped in with 71, with Brad Barnes weighing in with 60, against three wickets for off-spinner Jamie Merchant and two wickets for seamer Derval Green.

St Catherine batsman Carlos Brown then hit 76 and Peat Salmon 66 for Campbell's XI, who made 299 all out. Fast bowler Nicholson Gordon continued his good form with the ball, bagging four for 23, while seamer Gordon Bryan and spinner Patrick Harty took two wickets each.

Batting a second time, Blackwood's XI reached 289 for six when the game was called off, with wicketkeeper Romaine Morris getting 84, opener Kirk McKenzie 59, and captain Blackwood 51 retired out.

Left-arm spinner Jeavor Royal took three for 38.

Assistant coach for the Jamaica Scorpions, Andrew Richardson, said the coaching staff was pleased to see some of the batters getting some runs, and the senior bowlers also getting wickets.

"It was a good outing over three days. It is always good when people get centuries, but we would have liked to have more than one, especially when we had seven half-centuries in the game and we wanted the guys to kick on," said Richardson.

SATISFIED

The former Jamaica fast bowler, now a coach, said he was also satisfied with the level of consistency shown by his senior fast bowlers, namely, Nicholson Gordon, who continued where he left off from the Ireland limited-overs game, where he picked up five wickets.

"It was good to see our seasoned fast bowlers in and among the wickets and striking early with the new ball, and that is always a good sign as we continue our preparation," Richardson added.

The match was the Scorpions' third trial game, with more to come before Jamaica bow into action in early February in the regional four-day tournament. Richardson said he and head coach Andre Coley will continue to look out for specific things as the team fine-tunes its preparation.

"We are looking for some of our openers to get some form heading into the competition and hopefully, we can start getting some more runs from the wicketkeeping position," Richardson said.