Kirk McKenzie fell just short of a well-deserved half-century but it was enough to pilot the Jamaica Scorpions to a comfortable 80-run victory over the West Indies Academy via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in their Regional Super50 match on Saturday.
McKenzie blasted 90 from 92 balls as the Scorpions were dismissed for 250 from 48.1 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in St Augustine.
Set a revised target of 236 in 43 overs after rain caused a delay, the West Indies Academy could only muster 155 from 28 overs to fall to their second defeat in as many matches.
Meanwhile, it was the Scorpions’ first win of the tournament after losing to Barbados Pride in their opening encounter.
They owed their total to a 93-run partnership between McKenzie and opener John Campbell, following the early dismissal of Odain McCatty for a first ball duck.
The pair carried the score to 95 before Campbell was caught and bowled by Joshua Bishop for 39 from 32 balls.
McKenzie found a worthy opponent in Jermaine Blackwood, and they put Jamaica in complete control during a 78-run partnership that had them cruising at 173 for two in the 30th over.
But once Johann Layne snagged the wicket of McKenzie, Jediah Blades grabbed three wickets to cause a middle order collapse as the Scorpions lost their last eight wickets for 77 runs.
Blades ended with 4-46, while Bishop took 3-35 and Layne 2-40.
The West Indies Academy got off to the worst possible start when they lost openers Justin Jagessar and Ackeem Auguste for ducks to find themselves 2-0.
Teddy Bishop, who topscored with 61 and Rivaldo Clarke, who made 35, then steadied the innings in an 83-run partnership for the third wicket.
However, when Clarke fell to Brad Barnes, the West Indies Academy lost wickets at regular intervals thereafter and never seriously threatened their target.
Marquino Mindley took 3-6, Barnes ended with 3-22 while Jeavor Royal captured 3-44 to help rout the Academy.
CMC
SUMMARISED SCORES:
SCORPIONS 250 in 48.1 overs (Kirk McKenzie 90, John Campbell 39, Jermaine Blackwood 33, Odean Smith 23, Brad Barnes 19, Romaine Morris 15; Jediah Blades 4-46, Joshua Bishop 3-35, Johann Layne 2-40).
WI ACADEMY 155 in 28 overs (Teddy Bishop 61, Rivaldo Clarke 35, Johann Layne 29 not out, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett 11; Marquino Mindley 3-6, Brad Barnes 3-22, Jeavor Royal 3-44).
Jamaica Scorpions won by 80 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
