AN inexplicable batting collapse left the Jamaica Scorpions staring down the barrel, as left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul six-wicket haul gave the Guyana Jaguars a firm grip after day two yesterday.
The two sides are contesting the first round of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League (PCL) four-day game at the National Stadium, Providence.
The tourists lost seven first innings wickets for just 23 runs to be bowled out for a pathetic 99, handing the momentum to the Guyanese, who closed the second day on 106-4, batting a second time.
With a 67-run cushion, the three-time defending champions pressed home the advantage by finishing the day with an overall lead of 273 runs. At stumps Leon Johnson is on 11 while Bhaskar Yadram is yet to score.
It was a sensational post-lunch spell by Permaul, who captured 6-29 in just 19.5 overs, as the visitors batting crumbled in dramatic fashion after being 76-4 at one stage.
Guyanese Assad Fudadin, who opted to play for the Scorpions after refusing a local contract was the top-scorer with 39, and Captain Paul Palmer contributed 31, but the rest of their batsmen couldn’t muster much between them.