Miller angry with Scorpions’ batsmen

Jamaica Scorpions assistant coach Nikita Miller chided their batsmen for unprofessionalism as they will resume today's second day on 98 for seven, replying to Windward Islands Volcanoes' first innings score of 217 on the opening day of their West Indies Championship match at the Guyana National Stadium.

All-rounder Derval Green, who starred with the ball during Volcanoes' innings, has also come up trumps with the bat, as he has so far top-scored with 33 from as many balls, including five fours, to lead Scorpions' reply.

It was another torrid day for Scorpions with the bat as they were at one stag in tatters at 41 for six, with medium pacer Justin Greave doing the brunt of the damage by picking up four wickets for 34 runs.

All-rounder Jamie Merchant weighed in with 24, as he paired with Green put on 57 runs for the seventh wicket. Nkrumah Bonner made 17 and opener Leroy Lugg got 16, to be the batsmen to get into double figures.

Pacer Shermon Lewis has picked up two wickets for 29 runs.

With Scorpions trailing by 119 runs, Miller was upset with their performance.

"To put it the mildest way, our batting display was very unprofessional. We played like schoolboys from the top order right down. I can only give credit to Derval Green and Merchant who put on a partnership and took us to some amount of respectability," said Miller.

Scorpions could have further restricted Volcanoes when they batted, however, their captain Alick Athanaze led with the bat by making a fighting 81 from 111 balls.

He got good support from Greaves who made an even 50 from 97 balls, as Green finished with five wickets for 30 runs from 11 overs.

Miller is hoping his troops can dig deep and come from behind, with a lot of cricket still to be played.

"We have to take matters into our hands and play our way out of this situation. Our coach had a stern talk with the players and we just have to find a way to get some runs and make a game out of it," he said.