The Jamaica Scorpions earned some revenge on defending West Indies Champiomship title holders, the Guyana Jaguars inside two days thanks to half centuries from Jermaine Blackwood and Brandon King at Sabina Park on Friday.
King scored 66 not out while Blackwood was left unbeaten on 72, as the Scorpions ran out to an eight-wicket victory after a bunch of low-scoring totals ensured the game would not last the distance.
Electing to field, the Scorpions restricted the Jaguars to 158 all out before struggling to 139- 9 and then bowling their opponents out for 138. Batting a second time, the Scorpions would get to 158 for two in chase of 158 for victory.
When the Jaguars first had to deal with the Sabina Park pitch, they found Akim Frazer too much to handle, the first-class rookie taking 4-69 in 23 overs of bowling. Jerome Taylor was also dangerous to the defending champions, bagging 3-34, while Derval Green had 2-31, and Ryenard Leveridge, 1-18.
The response from the Scorpions was less than impressive, with Assad Fudadin, 43 not out, the main scorer.
With an unexpected lead of just around The Jaguars got an opportunity to set things right but never did, as Anthony Bramble, with 34, was the heaviest scorer against Taylor, 4-26, and Frazer, 4-65. Derval Green was also among the wickets, taking 2-31.
While a target of 157 wouldn’t normally suggest that a victory was out of the reach of any team in the West Indies Championship, the trend of the game had suggested bowlers could have something to say about it and that the Scorpions would not have it all their own way. They did.
After losing openers Chadwick Walton, 3, and skipper Paul Palmer Jr, 6, in close succession, there were to be no setbacks as the defending champions, Jaguars would struggle against solid batting from King, who ended unbeaten on 66 and Blackwood, who would score 72 not out.
Blackwood’s innings was typically attacking, his runs coming from just 86 balls. While King was a little more sedate, he was no slouch either, getting to his tally from 92 deliveries.