Miller positive as Scorpions suffer three straight losses

Jamaica Scorpions' assistant coach Nikita Miller believes they are showing signs of improvement in some areas after their six-wicket loss under the Duckworth Lewis Method to the West Indies Academy at Queens Park Oval yesterday in the Super50 Cup tournament.

Scorpions scored their highest total in the competition by tallying 263 for nine in their allotted 50 overs. West Indies Academy, who were set 227 to win in 40 overs following a rain break, managed to get to 227 for four in 37.3 overs to hand Scorpions their third-straight loss.

Scorpions got some runs from Kirk McKenzie, who moved down to bat at No. 3 and scored 84 runs from 102 deliveries with five fours and two sixes.

Captain Rovman Powell also worked his way back into form with 53 runs from 55 balls, with six fours and a six. Powell and McKenzie added a century partnership to spruce up the Scorpions' innings, but when they fell, so too did the scoring rate as Jeavor Royal chipped in with 27 and Shalom Parnell with 18 to present Scorpions with a fighting total.

Captain Nyeem Young was the pick of the bowlers, bagging five wickets for 49 runs from eight overs.

Academy's winning run chase was built mainly around right-hander Teddy Bishop, who scored an unbeaten 67, which included three fours and two sixes.

He was supported by wicket-keeper Leonardo Julien, who made 52 from 48 balls with six fours and a six. Kevin Wickham also contributed some runs following his 37 from 43 balls.

Left-arm seamer Shalome Parnell picked up two wickets for 43 runs from eight overs.

Miller, who was disappointed with the result, said they are showing signs of improvement in the batting, but the bowling department is still found wanting.

"With this being our third game, I can see that the team is beginning to improve where our batting is concerned. I still believe we were 20 or 30 runs short of the total we would have liked, but it is a work in progress," Miller said.

He argued that this season's new scoring system makes it still possible for Scorpions to progress despite being stuck at the bottom of the standings.

"With still some games to go, we are pressing to at least secure the fourth spot in the standings, and if we can accumulate as many batting and bowling points as possible, anything can happen from there," Miller said.