Gritty Scorpions survive final-day scare against rampant Pride

Hosts Jamaica Scorpions clung on for dear life in a nerve-racking final session against the Barbados Pride at Sabina Park yesterday, battling to 90 for four after being set a theoretical 40-plus overs to survive.

After the Pride declared on a mountainous 626 for eight, the Scorpions, facing a deficit of 169 runs, slumped to 28 for three and looked in danger of losing what always looked like a tame draw between the sides.

But injured captain John Campbell, hobbling to the crease on one good leg at number five, and wicketkeeper Romaine Morris, batted through 91 and 62 deliveries, respectively, to force the draw in fading light.

Handshakes came at 6:05 pm, with Barbados having requested and been granted an extra half-hour of play to try to force victory.

Earlier, resuming the fourth and final morning at 460 for five, leading by just three runs after securing first-innings honours, Barbados looked to accelerate.

Kyle Mayers, unbeaten on 16 overnight alongside Leniko Boucher, 12, wasted little time.

The Pride brought up 500 in just 116 balls, with Mayers reaching his half-century off 116 deliveries.

He and Boucher added 104 for the sixth wicket before Mayers fell for a spectacular 84, including six fours and five sixes, caught off the bowling of Odean Smith.

Then came the rain. When play resumed, Barbados were 542 for six, and Jamaica’s bowlers looked spent.

Boucher made 24, Shamar Springer hammered 36, and Johann Layne smashed an unbeaten 43 to push the Pride to 626 for eight before the declaration came.

Peat Salmon ended with four wickets for 147 runs, while Odean Smith claimed two for 90.

With a message of survival from the Scorpions dressing room, Jamaica were forced to open with Kirk McKenzie after Campbell was ruled unable to start the innings due to a leg injury he picked up while fielding.

McKenzie, a centurion in the first innings, fell for a duck, caught by Jomel Warrican at cover off the bowling of Kyle Mayers.

At tea, the Scorpions were 22 for one. But the break brought no respite.

22 FOR TWO

In overcast conditions, Javelle Glenn was caught and bowled by Johann Layne for 10 to make it 22 for two.

Six runs later, Brad Barnes mistimed a hook shot off Layne and was well caught in the deep by Jair McAllister for one. Suddenly, Jamaica were 28 for three.

Carlos Brown dug in for 55 balls, scratching his way to 13 before he was caught behind off Warrican to hand the Pride their fourth wicket with the score on 46.

That brought the injured Campbell to the crease. Batting at number five, the Scorpions captain showed immense grit, facing 91 balls for an unbeaten 42.

At the other end, Morris played the perfect supporting role, surviving 62 deliveries for just five not out.

At the close, the Scorpions breathed a collective sigh of relief, bruised, battered, but unbeaten, and head coach Robert Haynes praised the resolve of his team.

“It was a very tough game, and we spoke about it being a tight game. I thought we should have gotten more runs in the first innings. Once they got that lead, we knew it was going to be a challenge facing their seamers and spinners on this last day, and captain John and Morris saw us through, and I am really pleased with the grit and fight shown.”

Pride captain Kraigg Brathwaite also praised his batters in the first innings and the bowlers in the second innings for showing real determination.

“We knew the task of getting Jamaica out was always going to be difficult, but our bowlers came out and showed real fight, and this just gives us belief heading into the third and final game.”