JAMAICA Scorpions were fighting an uphill battle in order to prevent defending champions Guyana Jaguars from romping to their fifth consecutive outright victory in as many games in the 2015 West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) regional four-day tournament.Set the formidable task of scoring 326 for victory, after the Jaguars were dismissed for 282 in their second innings, the Scorpions were 82 for three, needing a further 244 with seven wickets in hand for a come-from-behind victory entering today’s final day at Sabina Park, Jamaica. The not out batsmen are Devon Thomas (20) and Tamar Lambert (0).
Scores to date: Guyana Jaguars 189 and 282; Jamaica Scorpions 146 and 82 for three.
Off-spinner Stephen Jacobs with two for 13 from 10 overs and fast bowler Keon Joseph, playing in his first game of the season, with one for 24 have been the successful bowlers so far in the Scorpions second innings.
Jacobs trapped opener John Campbell (26) lbw, sent back Andre McCarthy via a catch by wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble who was also involved in the stumping of skipper Paul Palmer jr. (13), off the persistent Jacobs.
Earlier, the Guyana second innings was anchored by left-handed opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul who carried his overnight 36 to 81 before he was the sixth player dismissed, caught by Damion Jacobs off left-arm fast-medium bowler Sheldon Cotterel. Chanderpaul’s knock, which spanned 310 minutes, included four fours and three sixes.
Wicket-keeper Bramble chipped in with a useful 35, smashing three sixes in the process while Raymon Reifer, who was 12 overnight, contributed 24.
Leg-spinner Damion Jacobs ended with four for 78 from 30 overs, Nikita Miller two for 48 from 24 and Marquino Mindley two for 59.