Campbell’s century puts Scorpions in control

Captain John Campbell scored a resolute unbeaten century while Paul Palmer weighed in with an unbeaten half-century as the Jamaica Scorpions produced a dominant batting display on day one of their second-round West Indies Championship match against Barbados Pride at the Kensington Oval.

With the West Indies lead selector Desmond Haynes in attendance on his birthday, opener Campbell gave him a wonderful gift following a masterful 123 not out to lead the Scorpions to 299 for three. Palmer played the perfect supporting innings by getting his ninth first-class half-century.

The left-handed opener Campbell stuck in on the wonderful batting surface at the Oval and batted 205 balls and hit a dozen fours and a six in his lengthy vigil at the crease.

After winning the toss and taking the first strike, the Scorpions made use of the opportunity by first putting on 71 runs for the first wicket, before Leroy Lugg went for 39 from 41 balls with four fours and three sixes.

Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood made only one, but Campbell found another useful partner in Nkrumah Bonner and the pair added 91 runs for the third wicket to set the tone for the Scorpions' formidable total.

Bonner hit six fours and a six in getting to 49, but medium-pacer Jonathan Carter found his edge to leave the Scorpions on 168 for three.

Campbell continued to play positively and he and Palmer then pushed the Scorpions close to the 300 mark when rain ended play late in the day.

Palmer will resume today's second day on 76 with nine fours and two sixes while Campbell will be looking to add to his 123.

Over at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago, the Leewards Hurricanes have jumped all over the Guyana Harpy Eagles. The Hurricanes will resume today's day two on 126 without loss, replying to Guyana's first-innings total of just 116.

Kieran Powell is unbeaten on 55 and Montcin Hodge, 51. Earlier, Colin Archibald and Daniel Doram both grabbed three wickets each to restrict Guyana. Alzarri Joseph took two wickets. Anthony Bramble top-scored with 38.

At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, also in Trinidad and Tobago, Red Force will resume today on 217 for five against the Windward Island Volcanoes. Yannic Cariah top-scored with 72 with opener Jeremy Solozano getting 66. Wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva contributed 52. Pacer Sherman Lewis has so far picked up three wickets for 24 runs.