ST JOHN’S, Antigua, , CMC – Half-centuries from new West Indies Test recruit Justin Greaves and opener Mikyle Louis put second-placed Leeward Islands Hurricanes within reach of their fourth win of the season, against Jamaica Scorpions, in the West Indies Championship yesterday.
Greaves was unbeaten on 62, and opener Mikyle Louis made 57, and Hurricanes were 145 for three in their second innings at the close on the third day of their fifth-round match at Sabina Park in Jamaica, needing to return on Saturday to acquire 42 more to win.
This followed a batting collapse from the Scorpions in which they were dismissed for 196 in their second innings about half-hour after the scheduled lunch interval.
Abhijai Mansingh hit the top score of 52 for the home team, West Indies left-hander Kirk McKenzie supported with 33, former West Indies Under-19 captain Ramaal Lewis made 30, and Peat Salmon got 22.
Pacer Jeremiah Louis ended with three for 24 from nine overs, Hurricanes captain and champion off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall took three for 56 from 21 overs, and familiarity bred a bit of success for Jamaican pacer Oshane Thomas, and he finished with two for 48 from 12 overs.
Salmon, bowling his off-spin, set back the Hurricanes in their chase with the wickets of Test batsman Kieran Powell for a seven-ball duck, and West Indies white-ball choice Keacy Carty for four to end the day with two for 54 from 21 overs.
Hurricanes were 10 for two in the eighth over when Greaves came to the crease, and he shared 103 with Louis to put them firmly on course for a win that will push them to the top of the table in the eight-team tournament.
Lewis got Louis lbw in the final hour before Jahmar Hamilton joined Greaves, and they batted through the remainder of the day.
Elsewhere, a resolute maiden first-class hundred from former West Indies Under-19 batsman Teddy Bishop enabled the Cricket West Indies Academy to contemplate their second win of the season against hosts Combined Campuses & Colleges.
Bishop stroked 114 and was the cornerstone of the CWI Academy second innings of 316 for seven before they declared about half-hour before the scheduled tea break at Frank Worrell Field on the St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad, setting their opponents 286 to win.
Marooners started their chase strongly and reached 72 without loss at the close with Damel Evelyn not out on 17 and Kamil Pooran not out on 49.
CWI Academy started the day on 44 for one, and they reached 131 for four at lunch before stumbling to 147 for five in the first hour after the interval.
But Trinidadian Joshua James made 58 and shared 121 for the sixth wicket with Bishop to stabilise the innings, Joshua Bishop (no relation to Teddy) was 29 not out, and Jordan Johnson got 22 before the declaration came.
Off-spinner Romario Greaves was the pick of the Marooners bowlers taking three for 76 from 21 overs, while Trinidadian off-spinner Yannick Ottley and left-arm pacer Jediah Blades bagged two wickets apiece.
