Batsmen dominate Scorpions’ practice match

Openers Leroy Lugg and Kirk McKenzie along with wicketkeeper batsman Aldane Thomas all hit centuries following the latest Jamaica Scorpions four-day practice match which ended on the weekend at Kensington Park.

Thomas was the first to get to three figures as he rattled up 121 from 176 balls in leading Team 'B' to 361 in their first innings against Team 'A' led by Paul Palmer Jr.

Thomas, who scored his maiden first-class hundred against Guyana last season, hit 15 fours and a six with St Mary batsman Alwyn Williams chipping in with yet another half-century in the practice games, after scoring 61 from 93 balls with eight fours and three sixes.

Right-arm seamer Derval Green, off-spinner Akim Fraser, pacer Andre Dennis, and wrist spinner Abhijai Mansingh all took two wickets each.

Mansingh then returned to top score with 65 not out in Team 'A's reply of 276, with opener Tevin Gilzene getting 59 and Lugg 46, against three wickets from spinners Dennis Bulli and Patrick Harty Jr.

In their second turn at the crease, opener McKenzie hit a dogged 104 from 167 balls for Team 'B' who posted 249 for seven declared. The left-handed former West Indies under-19 opener hit 10 fours and four sixes. Captain Thomas weighed in with 43, against five wickets for 29 runs from off-spinner Fraser.

Team 'A' reached 186 for six when the game was called off with Lugg scoring his second consecutive practice match century when he was left not out on 103.

The burly right-hander faced 147 balls and hit seven fours and a six against Harty Jr who claimed another two wickets for 30 runs.