The Jamaica Scorpions suffered a humiliating defeat against the Guyana Harpy Eagles, scoring only 44 runs in response to 339. Stand-in Captain Marquino Mindley blamed poor shot selection, while Ronaldo Alimohamed led with exceptional bowling, achieving figures of 6-17. Guyana dominated the match, sitting comfortably at 68-1 in their second innings with a substantial lead.
In a recent regional four-day cricket match at Sabina Park, the Jamaica Scorpions faced a disappointing defeat against the Guyana Harpy Eagles, folding for just 44 runs in response to the Harpy Eagles’ first-innings score of 339. Stand-in Captain Marquino Mindley attributed this collapse to poor shot selection, stating, “The wicket is very good to bat on… it is not a 44-run pitch.” As the match moved into its second innings, the Harpy Eagles were in a commanding position at 68-1, extending their lead to 363 runs.
The standout performer for the Harpy Eagles was pacer Ronaldo Alimohamed, who delivered an impressive bowling spell, achieving his first-class best figures of 6-17. His bowling partner Nial Smith also contributed significantly with 4-21. Mindley acknowledged the team’s struggles, lamenting the lack of discipline from the batsmen, as the Scorpions consistently failed to establish a foothold on an otherwise favorable pitch.
Alimohamed shared his strategy after the match, emphasizing accuracy in his bowling: “I was just trying to bowl stump to stump in good bowling areas… I just put the ball in the right areas and let it do the rest.” Kevlon Anderson was the highlight for the Harpy Eagles with a century, scoring 116 runs, while Nandu and Savory also made notable contributions. Odean Smith led the Jamaican bowlers with his career-best figures of 5-68.
The Jamaica Scorpions struggled immensely, with no batsman reaching double figures, resulting in extras being the second-highest contribution at 17 runs. As they prepared for their second innings, the Harpy Eagles continued their dominance, with Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Tevin Imlach remaining not out at 37 and 19, respectively, reflecting a complete shift in momentum in the match.
The Guyana Harpy Eagles’ decisive performance showcased their bowling prowess and the Jamaica Scorpions’ shortcomings at the crease. The embarrassing total of 44 runs highlighted poor batting decisions against a competent bowling attack. Moving forward, Mindley’s appeal for better shot selection will be crucial as the Scorpions aim to recover in their second innings. The match underscores the importance of discipline and focus in competitive cricket, particularly on favorable pitches.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
