Barring a miracle on Saturday, the Leeward Islands Hurricanes look set to make it two wins from two games in this season’s West Indies Championship after enjoying a dominant day three against the Jamaica Scorpions at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Friday.
The Hurricanes, after starting day three 301-7 off 79 overs trailing by 19 runs, added a further 34 runs in 8.4 overs before being dismissed for 335, enjoying a slim lead of 15 runs over the Scorpions but, importantly, securing first innings points.
Jahmar Hamilton narrowly missed out on what would’ve been a seventh first-class hundred, adding 16 to his overnight 77 to make a top-score of 93 off 126 deliveries.
Marquino Mindley finished with 4-44 from 20 overs for the Scorpions.
The Jamaicans then had a disappointing showing with the bat in their second innings, folding for just 170 in 58.5 overs, leaving the Hurricanes needing just 156 to secure their second outright victory already this season.
Captain John Campbell added to his first innings 126 with a top score of 53 in the second innings.
That was is as far as top order success for the Scorpions in the second innings as Gordon Bryan and Jeavor Royal, batting at nine and eight, respectively, were the next highest scorers with 34* and 25.
Jamaica lost the wickets of Carlos Brown (6) and Kirk McKenzie (10) early in proceedings, bringing the experienced pair of Campbell and Jermaine Blackwood, the hero from round one, together seeking to stabilize the innings.
They added 32 before Blackwood was run out for 20 with the score on 85. From there, it all went downhill for the Scorpions.
Pacer Oshane Thomas was excellent for his 3-44 from 10 overs while captain Rakheem Cornwall took 3-54 from 24 overs.
The Hurricanes were 44-1 off 9.1 overs at stumps, needing a further 112 runs to secure victory on Saturday’s fourth and final day.
Summarized scores:
Jamaica Scorpions 320 all out in 94.4 overs (John Campbell 126, Brad Barned 63*, Kirk McKenzie 33, Jeremiah Louis 3-44, Rakheem Cornwall 3-71, Hayden Walsh Jr 2-78) & 170 all out in 58.5 overs (John Campbell 53, Gordon Bryan 34*, Jeavor Royal 25, Oshane Thomas 3-44, Rakheem Cornwall 3-54, Colin Archibald 2-36)
Leeward Islands Hurricanes 335 all out in 87.4 overs (Jahmar Hamilton 93, Karima Gore 76, Hayden Walsh Jr 31, Marquino Mindley 4-44) & 44-1 in 9.1 overs (Kadeem Henry 22*, Keacy Carty 9*).