Scorpions hold edge after topsy-turvy day

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Fifteen wickets tumbled on day two of the Regional Four-Day Championship contest here Saturday but Jamaica Scorpions held the upper hand over Windward Islands Volcanoes heading into yesterday’s third day of the topsy-turvy day/night affair at Sabina Park.

Resuming the day on 34 for one in reply to Scorpions’ first innings of 210, Volcanoes were bundled out for a paltry 113, to concede a lead of 97 runs.

They were undermined by West Indies all-rounder Rovman Powell who used his medium pace to good effect to snatch five for 23 while international teammate Oshane Thomas picked up two for 37.

Captain Kirk Edwards top-scored with 29 and Roland Cato got 23 but no other batsman passed 15.

In their second turn at the crease, Scorpions also struggled despite a top score of 35 from Test batsman Jermine  Blackwood and an unbeaten 31 from Assad Fudadin.

The hosts were in early trouble when they lost left-hander John Campbell without scoring to the third ball of the innings. And when Chadwick Walton perished for 12 soon afterwards, Scorpions were 32 for two.

However, Blackwood and Fudadin combined in a 36-run, third wicket stand to steady the innings.

Left-arm spinner Larry Edwards (2-21) eventually bowled Blackwood, leading to a slump where Scorpions lost five wickets for 58 runs, as the innings declined.

The new-ball pair of Sherman Lewis (2-19) and Josh Thomas (2-32) also helped hurt the innings with two wickets apiece.