BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Out-of-favour West Indies stroke-maker Jermaine Blackwood hammered a breezy unbeaten half-century to put Jamaica Scorpions within sight of first innings against Leeward Islands Hurricanes, on the opening day of the day/night sixth round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship here Thursday.
Replying to the Hurricanes’ 204 all out at Warner Park, Scorpions reached the close under lights on 112 for three, still requiring a further 92 runs for the vital lead.
Blackwood blasted seven fours off just 58 deliveries, first putting on 30 for the third wicket with Brandon King (24) and then dominating a 50-run unbroken fourth wicket stand with Assad Fudadin, unbeaten on six.
Wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton had earlier top-scored with 65, holding the hosts together after they were asked to bat first. He put on 66 for the fifth wicket with Terrace Warde, who made 21, to pull his side out of trouble at 54 for four, after the new ball pair of Jerome Taylor and Derval Green had wiped out of the top order with an incisive burst.
Hamilton faced 96 deliveries and counted nine fours and a six, and also added 64 for the sixth wicket with Rahkeem Cornwall (33) which helped the Hurricanes cause.
Cornwall faced 41 deliveries and lashed three fours and a six.
Taylor, the ex-Test pacer, snared five for 28 while Green (2-24) and limited overs medium pacer Rovman Powell (2-37) supported with two wickets apiece.
