Campbell hits century but Hurricanes fight back

ST JOHN'S, Antigua:

John Campbell stroked an impressive century but the Jamaica Scorpions still shared honours with the Leeward Island Hurricanes, while Combined Campuses and Colleges' (CCC) batsmen produced a solid outing against the Guyana Harpy Eagles on the opening day of the second round of matches in the West Indies Championship yesterday.

AT SIR VIVIAN RICHARDS STADIUM:

Skipper Campbell scored his seventh first-class hundred and Brad Barnes hit an unbeaten half century for the Scorpions, but they relinquished control of their contest against the Hurricanes after suffering a lower order collapse to end the day on 306 for nine.

Campbell made 126 from just 150 balls and the Scorpions were cruising at 199 for two at one stage, before pacer Jeremiah Louis and spinners Rahkeem Cornwall and Hayden Walsh Jr bowled the Hurricanes back into the match.

Campbell shared an opening partnership of 79 with Carlos Brown, who made 22, and then 84 with Kirk McKenzie for the second wicket to put the Scorpions in the driver's seat at 163 for one.

When Louis dismissed McKenzie for 33, Jermaine Blackwood added 36 with his captain to help the Scorpions further tighten their grip. But when Cornwall bowled Blackwood for 10, the Scorpions lost their next seven wickets for only 107 runs.

Barnes remained steadfast as wickets fell around him, to end on 53 not out from 116 balls.

Louis has so far taken 3-35, Cornwall 3-71 and Walsh Jr 2-78.

AT GUYANA NATIONAL STADIUM:

Johann Jeremiah, Kyle Corbin and Shaqkere Parris all scored half centuries and the CCC ended the opening day on 279 for six against defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles.

It was a spirited fightback by the visitors after they lost two early wickets and looked in danger of being skittled out.

West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph had opener Damel Evelyn caught behind for five and Ronaldo Alimohamed had Sadique Henry lbw for 10, to leave CCC 30 for two inside the first hour. But Jeremiah found a worthy partner in Parris, and the two added 128 runs for the third wicket to help steady the innings.

Parris fell to veteran spinner Veerasammy Permaul after scoring 56 and shortly after Alimohamed dismissed Jeremiah for a well-played 84, to see CCC slip to 170 for four.

Corbin, with the help of Demario Richards came to their side's rescue, sharing an 83-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

However, Permaul struck again by dismissing Richards for 40 and Alimohamed grabbed the wicket of Abhijai Mansingh just before the close of play.

Corbin is not out on 62 from 146 balls.

Alimohamed ended with 3-37, while Veerasammy Permaul took 2-67.

- CMC