Coach praises bowlers as Scorpions hold the edge

Jamaica Scorpions put in a disciplined bowling performance to restrict the Leeward Islands Hurricanes to 163 for six on the first day of the opening round of the four-day West Indies Championship at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

Scorpions coach Andrew Richardson praised the efforts of his bowlers on what he describes as a decent wicket.

"Our bowlers did a very good job by keeping it tight and it would have been an even more brilliant day if we had gotten two more wickets. Day two will be critical, especially the first hour," Richardson said.

The Paul Palmer-led Scorpions will be on the hunt early for the remaining wickets on today's second day with the dangerous Rahkeem Cornwall their main target, as he is unbeaten on 29 from 71 balls with four fours.

Also at the crease is Jeremiah Louis who is not out on 17 from 84 balls, as the pair has so far added an unbroken 46 runs for the seventh wicket.

Debutant leg-spinner Abhijai Mansingh has so far picked up two crucial wickets, that of captain Jahmar Hamilton for a top score of 40 as well as middle order batsman Terrance Warde, who was bowled for 10.

Mansingh who was not named in the original playing XI has replaced Alwyn Williams who has been ruled out of the contest for medical reasons according to a Cricket West Indies statement.

The change was approved by the match officials and the captains in accordance with the ICC rules, which govern first-class matches.

It was, however, the seamers who eventually got the ball rolling for the Scorpions who lost the toss, with Marquino Mindley striking first, having opener Kieran Powell caught and bowled for nine with 11 runs on the board.

Eight runs later, pacer Gordon Bryan had Kacey Carty caught behind for two before off-spinner Jamie Merchant had Kofi James caught at deep mid-wicket for 15 at 40 for three.

Hamilton and opener Montcin Hodge added 59 runs for the fourth wicket before off-spinner Akim Fraser had Hodge snapped up by wicket-keeper Aldane Thomas for 37.

Following Mansingh's double strike which cost 27 runs in 14 overs, Cornwall and Louis batted out the remainder of the day to see the host to the close at 163 for six.

Meanwhile, at Northsound, the Guyana Harpy Eagles closed the opening day against the Barbados Pride on 205 for five with opener Matthew Nandu leading the charge with an unbeaten 70 from 219 deliveries.

The lefthander has hit nine fours so far. Kevin Sinclair is not out on 28 against two wickets each for Akeem Jordon and Chaim Holder.

In Grenada, Windward Iaslands Volcanoes trail Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by 12 runs following their second innings score of 60 without loss after they first posted 243 and Red Force replied with 315.

Kimani Melius is not out on 38 and Jerlani Robinson on 19 for Volcanoes. Earlier, Tyvn Walcott made an unbeaten 87 and Sunil Ambris 55 in the Volcano's first innings.

Terrance Hinds and Bryan Charles picked up four wickets each for Red Force in the first innings. Amir Jangoo top scored with 86 with Tion Webster getting 79 and Hinds 52.

Ryan John picked up five wickets for 18 runs with Darius Martin grabbing two wickets for 40 runs.