Defending champions Fairfield United retained the SDC National Community T20 Cricket title in a low scoring final against Links United at Chedwin Park on Sunday, August 25th. 

After losing the toss and being invited to bat, Fairfield United managed only 147 runs when their innings came to an end with 3 balls remaining in the innings. However, the reigning champions were not prepared to go down without a fight and managed to restrict Links United to 117 all out to win by 30 runs and take the trophy back to Manchester for the third time overall. 

Leighton Leslie, player and manager of Fairfield United said that his team was never worried about retaining their title despite putting less than their targeted total on the board.

“We had a target in mind of 180, however we fell short. But as usual, we back our bowling. We have one of the better bowling (attacks) in this complete competition and after getting the 147, we knew that we were going to defend it. If they were going to get it, they would have to go to the last ball. So, at no point we were fretting or worried about the total that we got,” he said. 

Leslie noted that the team had to overcome early season difficulties from which they learned as the season progressed. 

“We had a rough start in this competition. We almost didn’t make it to the parish stages, but we got a lifeline and from there on, we have just been playing more disciplined cricket,” he noted. 

Leslie hinted at continued success for Fairfield United based on the composition of his squad.

“We have a lot of youngsters in our programme. We have a good crop of youngsters coming up.”

He was also impressed with the preparation of the grounds for the finals, thanks in part to sponsors such as Wray & Nephew. 

“When I came to the cricket ground and looked at it closely, I must say it is at international standard. I must say this competition is well put together and it’s a joy to win it back-to-back. 

During their time at bat, Jamaine Morgan got Fairfield off to a flier but fell to the penultimate ball of the second over with the score at 20/1, amassing 15 runs off 10 deliveries. 

A second wicket stand of 37 runs between Javed Williams and Zidane Gordon pushed the score along to 57 in the 8th over before Gordon departed for a quick fire 25 off 20 deliveries. Williams was next to go at 65/3 in the 9th over as the Links United skipper captured two wickets for 35 runs from his spell of four overs. 

Fairfield tried to push the score along, but Tevin Gilzene stymied the run chase as the chief wicket taker for Links United put the brakes on the defending champions when he snapped up the next five wickets to fall in the middle overs to end with figures of 5 for 19 off his 4 overs. 

Roshawn McKenzie was the only batsman of the last four wickets to get into double figures as he made 16 runs from 13 deliveries before he went caught off the bowling of Amoi Campbell. 

Links United got off to the worst possible start in their quest for 148 runs to win when they lost their first wicket off the third ball of the innings with the score at 4/1. Damion Bryce returned to the pavilion, caught by Jamaine Morgan off the bowling of Romario Marshall.

Tevin Gilzene, who had been magical with the ball, tried to replicate the performance with the bat, but he went for 19 runs, of 8 deliveries at 39/2 in the 4th over. 

Things were still within reach for Links at that stage, but a steady stream of wickets from the 4th to the 7th over, saw them slip from 39/2 to 64/6 due to injudicious shots from the batsmen coupled with good fielding from the defending champions. 

A brief recovery saw Links get beyond the 100-run mark for the loss of just one more wicket, but two wickets in two balls to end the 13th over and start the 14th over saw them reduced to 106/9 which left the defending champions on the verge of a repeat victory.

Roshawn McKenzie then completed the final rites when he bowled Nashawn Campbell for 4 runs with the second ball of the 16th over to leave Links United all out for 117 runs. McKenzie ended with figures of 2 wickets for 10 runs from 2.2 overs while Richard Thomas with 4 for 17 from 4 overs was the pick of the bowlers for Fairfield. 

Kerry-Ann Bryan, Brand Manager of Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum could not hide her excitement after watching an engaging and exciting final.

“It’s been a pleasure to be here with you at Chedwin Park, where we come together to celebrate not just a game but a tradition that runs deep in the heart of our nation. Cricket, like Wray & Nephew, has a longstanding tradition in Jamaica and it is synonymous with passion. It’s not just a sport; it’s a way of life. A good cricketer plays with heart, not just skill, bringing a level of energy and enthusiasm that inspires everyone around them,” Bryan remarked.

“The game isn’t for individual glory; it’s about teamwork and community. A good cricketer knows that the success of the team comes first. They play for something bigger than themselves, representing their community, their culture, and their shared values,” she continued.

Earlier in the afternoon, Angel’s defeated Bushy Park by eight wickets to win the Masters title. 

The SDC National Community T20 Cricket competition Super 8 was officially launched at Chedwin Park in St. Catherine last Saturday, August 10^th.

The start of the Super 8 (knockout stage) was delayed by a few weeks due to the devastation suffered to parts of the island following the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

As a result, teams participating in this phase of the competition now face a win-or-go scenario which is different from previous years.

Dr. Dwayne Vernon, Executive Director of the Social Development Commission (SDC) explained the need for the change this year.

“Normally we would have a playoff, which is an intermediary round between the quarterfinals and the semifinals, so historically what would happen is that the best winners from the quarterfinals would automatically go to the semifinals and then the other teams would have played off to ensure which ones would get the right to play in the semifinals,” he said.

“What we have done this year, because we are strapped for time…is that we have eliminated the playoff round. Teams that win at the quarterfinals will automatically go to the semifinals. There will be no playoffs, just for this year. We want to end at least one week before back to school,” he added.

Kerry-Ann Bryan, Brand Manager at Wray & Nephew spoke of the long-standing partnership between her company and the SDC T20 Cricket competition.

“Wray & Nephew is proud to be a part of this long-standing tradition of community development through sport. Over 17 years we have seen much growth in participation, community comradery and development, all elements for which the SDC has been a stalwart champion.”

Bryan also spoke of the power of the sport in uniting communities across the island while assuring of her brand support through the remainder of the competition.

“Cricket for many Jamaicans is more than a game, it has the power to unite us, transcend boundaries and build a sense of camaraderie. It embodies the values of teamwork, discipline and fair play which are essential not only to the field but also in communities which we all call home,” she said.

“This competition is not just about cricket, it’s about empowering communities, encouraging social growth and nurturing the talents that align within our neighborhoods. As a proud sponsor of this competition, I can assure you that our brand will be right there cheering for every player, encouraging every team and celebrating every triumph,” she added.

In the first quarterfinal on Saturday, Whitehouse from Westmoreland beat Richmond Park from Kingston and St. Andrew by six runs. Whitehouse scored 155/6 from their 20 overs before bowling out Richmond Park for 149 in 19.3 overs.

In the second quarterfinal, Junction skittled out Troy for a mere 43 runs before they eased to victory

at 44/1.

The other two quarterfinals were played at the same venue on Sunday. In the first match on Sunday, Fairfield beat Bridgeport by 18 runs. Fairfield made 145 in exactly 20 overs before they restricted Bridgeport to 127/9 from their 20 overs.

The final quarterfinal was reduced to 15 overs due to rain. In their turn at bat, Gayle managed 107/4 and in reply Links made 108/3 from 13.3 overs to win by 7 wickets.

The semifinals will be played at the Ultimate Oval in St. Ann on Sunday, August 18.

The Barbados Pride, defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles and the Windward Islands Volcanoes all look set to close out round three of the 2024 West Indies Championship with outright wins while the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force are locked in an interesting battle with the Leeward Islands Hurricanes ahead of Saturday’s fourth and final day.

First at Sabina Park where the Pride had the Jamaica Scorpions reeling in their second innings at 220-8 off 63 overs at stumps, a lead of just 100 runs.

The Pride had earlier amassed 389 all out off 120 overs after starting the day 315-6. Kraigg Brathwaite, who entered Friday 129* wound up making 142 while Shane Dowrich finished with 44 after entering the day 19*.

Derval Green ended up with 4-78 off 31 overs while Peat Salmon picked up 3-94 from 34 overs for the hosts.

Jamaica’s second innings saw a number of batsmen get off to good starts but none were able to get a big score. Abhijai Mansingh has led the way with 54, his fourth first-class fifty, while Leroy Lugg (43), Kirk McKenzie (39) and Carlos Brown (35) also chipped in.

Debutant Shaquille Cumberbatch has led the charge with the ball for the Pride with 4-22 off nine overs while Kevin Wickham has picked up 2-26 from seven overs.

Full Scores: Jamaica Scorpions 269 all out off 78.4 overs (Romaine Morris 97*, Carlos Brown 40, Kirk McKenzie 40, Jomel Warrican 5-62, Jair McAllister 3-69) & 220-8 off 63 overs (Abhijai Mansingh 54, Leroy Lugg 43, Kirk McKenzie 39, Carlos Brown 35, Shaquille Cumberbatch 4-22, Kevin Wickham 2-26)

Barbados Pride 389 all out off 120 overs (Kraigg Brathwaite 142, Kevin Wickham 63, Shane Dowrich 44, Jonathan Drakes 31, Derval Green 4-78, Peat Salmon 3-94)

Elsewhere in Jamaica, at Chedwin Park in St. Catherine to be exact, the Combined Campuses and Colleges ended day three 271-6 in their second innings, leading the Windward Islands Volcanoes by just 80 runs.

The Windwards, after entering Friday 359-8 off 100 overs, went on to post an imposing 395 all out off 105.4 overs in their first innings.

Kavem Hodge, who entered the day 131*, carried his bat through the innings on his way to a career best 158* off 251 balls including 16 fours and a six.

Romario Greaves ended up with 5-142 off 38 overs for the CCC.

With the bat, Jonathan Carter almost got his second century of the season, being dismissed for 94 to lead the CCC second innings scoring, so far.

Greaves, who is having a fine all-round showing, ended day three on 62* off 117 balls including five fours and two sixes.

Earlier, opener Damel Evelyn followed up his 43 in the first innings with 56 in the second.

Shamar Springer has taken 2-33 in 13 overs for the Volcanoes.

Full Scores: Combined Campuses & Colleges 204 all out off 71.3 overs (Demario Richards 46, Damel Evelyn 43, Darel Cyrus 6-72, Gilon Tyson 3-32) & 271-6 off 81 overs (Jonathan Carter 94, Romario Greaves 62*, Damel Evelyn 56, Shamar Springer 2-33)

Windward Islands Volcanoes 395 all out off 105.4 overs (Kavem Hodge 158*, Sunil Ambris 120, Romario Greaves 5-142, Jediah Blades 2-35, Govasta Edmond 2-54)

Moving to the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua where the defending champions, Guyana Harpy Eagles, are on the brink of a dominant victory over the West Indies Academy.

The Harpy Eagles entered Friday 165-5 off 65 overs, leading the Academy by 178 runs. They went on to pile up a massive 415-7 declared leaving the Academy needing a massive 429 to win.

Kevin Sinclair, the hero with the ball in the first innings, led the way with a magnificent 165* off 182 balls, his first century in first-class cricket, including 26 fours. Kemol Savory also batted well for a 68-ball 58 including eight fours and a six.

Ronaldo Ali Mohamed and Veerasammy Permaul also provided useful cameos at the end of the innings with 318 and 29*, respectively.

Ashmead Nedd was the pick of the bowlers for the Academy with 5-97 off 45 overs.

At stumps, the Academy reached 161-7 off 40 overs, needing a further 268 runs for victory on Saturday.

West Indies Under-19 representative Jordan Johnson led the way with 54 against 3-32 off eight overs from Isai Thorne, who also represented the West Indies at the recently concluded ICC U-19 World Cup in South Africa. Sinclair has also picked up 2-30 from 11 overs in the second innings.

Full Scores: Guyana Harpy Eagles 175 all out off 54.3 overs (Ronaldo Ali Mohamed 30, Matthew Nandu 28, Joshua James 4-43, Johann Layne 2-27, Joshua Bishop 2-31) & 415-7 dec. off 112.1 overs (Kevin Sinclair 165*, Kemol Savory 58, Kevlon Anderson 49, Ashmead Nedd 5-97)

West Indies Academy 162 all out off 49 overs (Rashawn Worrell 58, Joshua Bishop 51, Kevin Sinclair 4-45, Veerasammy Permaul 3-15, Gudakesh Motie 3-31) & 161-7 off 40 overs (Jordan Johnson 54, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett 34, Isai Thorne 3-32, Kevin Sinclair 2-30)

Finally, we go to Warner Park in St. Kitts where the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force were 285-6 at stumps on day three, leading the Leeward Islands Hurricanes by 104 runs.

The Red Force entered the day 48-0 off 18 overs replying to the Hurricanes first innings total of 318.

Jyd Goolie continued his good form with the bat this season with 64 to lead the Red Force charge so far.

Jason Mohammed (49), Tion Webster (38), Cephas Cooper (36), Terrance Hinds (34) and Captain Joshua Da Silva (32) all got starts but weren’t able to carry on to a big score.

Rakheem Cornwall has led the Hurricanes bowling do far with 3-56 off 29 overs while Jeremiah Louis has picked up 2-70 from 18 overs.

Full Scores: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 137 all out off 60.2 overs (Jyd Goolie 30, Collin Archibald 3-28, Jeremiah Louis 3-38, Rakheem Cornwall 2-5, Daniel Doram 2-32) & 285-6 off 108 overs (Jyd Goolie 64, Jason Mohammed 49, Tion Webster 38, Cephas Cooper 36, Terrance Hinds 34, Joshua Da Silva 32, Rakheem Cornwall 3-56)

Leeward Islands Hurricanes 318 all out off 98.2 overs (Jewel Andrew 87, Kieran Powell 65, Jeremiah Louis 41, Mikyle Louis 32, Anderson Phillip 4-62, Brian Charles 3-81)

Well-played centuries by West Indies Test batsman Kavem Hodge and Sunil Ambris gave Windward Islands Volcanoes complete control of their Round three West Indies Championship fixture against Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners at Chedwin Park, in Jamaica, on Thursday.

After bowling down the opponents for 204 on Wednesday’s opening day courtesy of leg spinner Darel Cyrus and seamer Gilon Tyson, who grabbed six wickets for 72 runs and three 32 respectively, Hodge and Ambris continued the Volcanoes rich vein of form on day two, with a solid 192-run fifth-wicket partnership.

Hodge, who made his Test debut against Australia recently, ended the day unbeaten on 130 –his fifth First Class century. He had Tyson, on four, for company, as Volcanoes were 358-8 at stumps, some 154 runs ahead with two wickets in hand.

The 31-year-old Hodge was patient throughout, stroking 13 fours in his 231-ball knock so far, while Ambris, was more aggressive in registering his eighth First Class century, as he smashed 10 fours and four sixes before he went for 120 off 113 balls.

Romario Greaves is the pick of the Marooners bowlers so far with five for 142 from 38 overs.

Scores: Combined Campuses and Colleges 204 (71.3 overs); 358-8 (99 overs)

Having lost their top order –Jeremy Solozano (19), Kimani Melius (13) and Johann Jeremiah (12) –with very little runs on the board, West Indies batsman Alick Athanaze (26) and Hodge started the rebuilding process, before the former was trapped in front by Greaves with the score at 75-4.

However, whatever hope the Marooners had that they would bat again on day two, was dashed, as Hodge and Ambris, literally played them out the game with the breathtaking 192-run stand.

Even after Ambris went to Greaves and three wickets fell for 28 runs, the momentum remained with the Volcanoes, who will be aiming to add a few more runs on Friday’s third day.

Wicketkeeper/batsman Romaine Morris narrowly missed out on a maiden first-class hundred on day one of the 2024 West Indies Championship third round game between the Jamaica Scorpions and the Barbados Pride at Sabina Park in Kingston.

Batting first after losing the toss, the hosts were able to amass 269 all out from 78.4 overs on Wednesday.

Morris, who got a half century in round one against the Windward Islands Volcanoes, came in with the Jamaicans in a spot of bother at 113-5 in the 40^th over and batted beautifully to finish 97* off 126 balls including 10 fours and three sixes.

Earlier, opener Carlos brown continued his good form over the last two matches with 40 off 105 balls including seven fours while Kirk McKenzie got his first significant score of the season, also making 40 with his coming off 79 balls and including five fours.

Jomel Warrican finished with 5-62 off 27.4 overs while Jair McAllister took 3-69 off 15 overs.

At stumps, Barbados were 15-0 off seven overs with Zachary McCaskie on 13 and Kraigg Brathwaite on one.

Full Scores: Jamaica Scorpions 269 all out off 78.4 overs (Romaine Morris 97*, Carlos Brown 40, Kirk McKenzie 40, Jomel Warrican 5-62, Jair McAllister 3-69)

Barbados Pride 15-0 off seven overs.

Other Scores:

At Warner Park in St. Kitts

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 137 all out off 60.2 overs (Jyd Goolie 30, Collin Archibald 3-28, Jeremiah Louis 3-38, Rakheem Cornwall 2-5, Daniel Doram 2-32)

Leeward Islands Hurricanes 105-1 off 29 overs (Kieran Powell 54*, Mikyle Louis 32)

At Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua

Guyana Harpy Eagles 175 all out off 54.3 overs (Ronaldo Ali Mohamed 30, Matthew Nandu 28, Joshua James 4-43, Johann Layne 2-27, Joshua Bishop 2-31)

West Indies Academy 96-4 off 26 overs (Rashawn Worrell 34, Joshua Bishop 33*, Kevin Sinclair 4-32)

At Chedwin Park in Jamaica

Combined Campuses & Colleges 204 all out off 71.3 overs (Demario Richards 46, Damel Evelyn 43, Darel Cyrus 6-72, Gilon Tyson 3-32)

Windward Islands Volcanoes 0-0 off 0.4 overs

Barbados Pride opened their West Indies Championship account in a dazzling manner, as they wrapped up a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners in a lopsided contest at Chedwin Park, in Jamaica, on Saturday.

Despite a well-played 72 by Shamarh Brooks and 47 from Demario Richards, the Marooners, resuming their second innings at 96-2, crumbled for 193, as they again failed to contend with the Holder, who took 5-69 and Warrican, who took 3-16, to end with match figures of 8-140 and 7-45 respectively.

Requiring a mere 34 for victory, Zachary McCaskie, unbeaten on 28, and Shayne Moseley, unbeaten on seven, easily surpassed the target in just under five overs.

The win which came inside four days –after the first day was lost to a wet outfield caused by a ruptured water main –was also spurred by Kevin Wickham’s 139 and Jonathan Drakes’ 84, which laid the foundation for the massive target, that was well defended by the bowlers.

Scores: Barbados Pride 344-8 dec & 35-1; Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners 185 & 193

Brooks and Shatrughan Rambaran resumed the Marooners second innings on 44 and 15 respectively, with the latter only adding eight to his overnight score before being bowled by Chaim Holder.

Captain Jonathan Carter’s stay in the middle was short-lived as he was removed by Chemar Holder for one. However, Brooks and Richards, formed a tidy fifth-wicket partnership that briefly threatened to make things interesting, as they kept the Pride bowlers at bay with solid defensive strokes, while also pouncing on the loose deliveries to erase the deficit and gift Marooners a slender lead.

When Chaim Holder accounted for both, they would have hoped that the remaining batsmen would have added to the tally and possibly give their bowlers something to work with in the Pride’s second turn at bat. But it was not to be, as Chaim Holder completed his second First Class five-wicket haul when he had Romario Greaves (two) trapped in front, while Warrican snared the last three wickets.

Though they lost captain Kraigg Brathwaite for naught three balls into the innings, the Pride were never in any danger and McCaskie quickly wrapped things up with five boundaries in his 14-ball 28, while Moseley held the other end.

Meanwhile, the contest between Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and reigning champions Guyana Harpy Eagles was abandoned after no play was again possible for a third straight day at Conaree Cricket Centre, in St Kitts.

Scores: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 215 for four (Jason Mohammed 100 not out, Tion Webster 50, Amir Jangoo 27, Vikash Mohan 20 not out; Ronsford Beaton 2-39, Veerasammy Permaul 2-42) vs Guyana Harpy Eagles.

Barbados Pride followed up their batting performance with a decent all-round bowling effort, as they tightened their grip on the West Indies Championship contest against Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners at Chedwin Park, in Jamaica.

The Marooners closed Friday’s third day on 96-2 in their second innings, still 63 runs behind with eight wickets intact, as they were forced to follow-on after their first innings folded at 185. Shamarh Brooks, on 44, and Shatrughan Rambaran, on 15, will resume batting on Saturday’s final day.

Scores: Barbados Pride 344-8 dec (72.2 overs); Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners 185 & 96-2 (37 overs)

Resuming on their overnight score of 10-1 in response to Pride’s massive total, the Marooners struggled to contend with the bowling of Jomel Warrican, Akeem Jordan and Chaim Holder, as their first innings crumbled early in the day.

Captain Jonathan Carter with a patient 131-ball 59, and Shaqkere Parris with a 108-ball 44, were the only batsmen to offer minimal resistance, with Demario Richards (28) the next best score.

Warrican grabbed 4-29 in 22.3 overs, while Holder and Jordan had 3-71 and 2-30 respectively.

Still 159 runs at that point, the Marooners would have hoped for a more compact batting display on the second occasion. But those hopes were dampened when Jordan and Holder again combined to remove the opening pair of Parris (five) and Kirstan Kallicharan (24) respectively.

However, Brooks and Rambaran remained composed to not only limit the damage, but also offer the Marooners another glimmer of hope of possibly seeing out the final day for a draw.

Elsewhere at Conaree Cricket Centre, in St Kitts, no play was again possible for a second straight day between Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and reigning champions Guyana Harpy Eagles. This was due to a waterlogged field following heavy rains on Thursday.

Scores: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 215 for four (Jason Mohammed 100 not out, Tion Webster 50, Amir Jangoo 27, Vikash Mohan 20 not out; Ronsford Beaton 2-39, Veerasammy Permaul 2-42) vs Guyana Harpy Eagles.

Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners are faced with an uphill task, after Kevin Wickham’s 139 piloted Barbados Pride to a massive 344-8 declared on Thursday’s second day of their West Indies Championship encounter at Chedwin Park, in Jamaica.

The 20-year-old Wickham smashed nine sixes and eight fours on his way to a third First Class century in a 135-ball innings. He was well supported by Jonathan Drakes, whose 84 off 99 balls, included 12 boundaries.

Marooners in their reply, ended the day on 10-1, still 334 runs behind Barbados Pride heading into Friday’s third day.

Scores: Barbados Pride 344-8 (72.2 overs); Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners 10-1 (18 overs)

After losing Wednesday’s first day due to a wet outfield caused by a ruptured water main, Barbados Pride wasted little time to establish a solid footing in their innings, as they declared intentions of securing a result in the contest.

Despite losing captain Kraigg Brathwaite (seven) and Shayne Moseley (10) cheaply, Zachary McCaskie (30) gradually steadied things, before Drakes and Wickham took the Marooners bowlers to task with a healthy fourth-wicket stand.

The foundation left by both was so healthy that it mattered little that Roshan Primus (five) and Akeem Jordan (14) failed to contribute meaningfully to the innings. However, wicketkeeper/batsman Shane Dorwich added a 50-ball 41, including five fours and a solitary six, with the declaration coming shortly after his dismissal.

Romario Greaves (2-54), Jediah Blades (2-64), Zishan Motara (2-68), led the Marooners bowling.

Meanwhile, Jordan removed Kirstan Kallicharan (seven) to put the Marooners under early pressure in their turn at bat.

Jason Mohammed has so far posted the first century of the 2024 West Indies Championship, as Trinidad and Tobago Red Force closed day one in a good position at 215-4 in their opening contest against reigning champions Guyana Harpy Eagles at Conaree Cricket Centre in St Kitts.

Mohammed, who came to the middle with Red Force in a spot of bother, after Ronsford Beaton removed Cephas Cooper (eight) and Jyd Goolie (three), ended Wednesday’s first day unbeaten on 101.

The 37-year-old will resume his innings, which so far includes 11 fours, on Thursday with Vikash Mohan, who was also unbeaten on 20.

Beaton and Veerasammy Permaul, shared the four wickets, as the latter accounted for Amir Jangoo (27) and Tion Webster (49). Beaton so far has 2-39, while Permaul has 2-49.

Scores: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 215-4 (81.2 overs); Guyana Harpy Eagles (Yet to bat)

Elsewhere, Windward Islands Volcanoes are on course to secure first innings honours over Jamaica Scorpions, as they closed day one on 157-2, after restricting their hosts to 159, at Sabina Park.

Johann Jeremiah, on 66, and Sunil Ambris, on 30, will resume batting for the Volcanoes on Thursday’s second day.

After asking the Scorpions to take first strike, Hurricanes seamers Ryan John and Shamar Springer produced clinical bowling efforts to rip through the opponents’ batting line up. John bagged 5-43 in 13 overs, while Springer had 3-53 in 10 overs, including two maidens.

Only Peat Salmon, with a 30-ball 26, including three fours and a six, and Romaine Morris’s 29-ball 35, including four fours and two sixes, had notable scores in the Scorpions’ sub-par effort.

The Volcanoes response started positively, with Kimani Melius (31) and Jeremy Solozano (26), both getting starts, but were unable to push on. Melius, who had six boundaries in his 32-ball knock, was removed by Abhijai Mansingh, while Salmon accounted for Solozano, who had five boundaries in his knock.

However, that was all the success the Scorpions would taste, as Jeremiah and Ambris took the bowlers to task and saw out the day.

Scores: Jamaica Scorpions 159 all out (41 overs); Windward Islands Volcanoes 157-2 (41 overs)

Meanwhile, no play was possible in the contest between Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners and Barbados Pride at Chedwin Park, in Jamaica, due to a wet outfield caused by a ruptured water main.