ST JOHN’S, Antigua – A decisive spell of fast bowling by fast bowler Marquino Mindley carried the Jamaica Scorpions to an exciting 40-run win over the West Indies Academy on the final day of their fifth-round clash in the West Indies Championship on Saturday.
The WI Academy would have been favourites to win their first match of the tournament, having resumed the day on 256 for five, requiring 100 more runs for a come-from-behind victory.
Their hopes rested on Carlon Bowen-Tuckett and Joshua Bishop, who began on the day on 46 and 25 respectively, and they batted positively to carry the WI Academy to 296 without further loss.
However, with Bishop one run away from a well-deserved half-century, Mindley made the breakthrough by having him caught behind by wicketkeeper Aldaine Thomas to break their 87-run partnership.
Soon after, Mindley struck again by dismissing Bowen-Tuckett for the top score of 70, to leave the WI Academy 301 for seven, still requiring another 54 runs.
With their departures, the end came swiftly for the WI Academy with Mindley accounting for the wicket of Johann Layne for a second ball duck without a run being added, and left-arm spinner Jeavor Royal wrapped up the match by dismissing Jediah Blades and Nathan Edward for the addition of just six runs.
Mindley finished with 3-46, while Ojay Shields (2-51), Royal (2-77) and Brad Barnes (2-80) lent good support.
CMC
Summarised scores
At Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua: Jamaica Scorpions defeat West Indies Academy by 40 runs.
SCORPIONS 375 & 191 vs WI ACADEMY 211 & 315 in 78 overs (Akeem Auguste 77, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett 70, Teddy Bishop 57, Joshua Bishop 49, Mbeki Joseph 14, Jordan Johnson 12, Rivaldo Clarke 10; Marquino Mindley 3-46, Ojay Shields 2-51, Jeavor Royal 2-77, Brad Barnes 2-80).
