JAMAICA Scorpions all-rounder Abhijai Mansingh rued they didn’t make better use of their batting opportunity in the second innings as Leeward Islands Hurricanes resolutely marched closer to victory in their West Indies Championship match at Sabina Park yesterday.

At the end of play on Friday’s third and penultimate day the Hurricanes were well-positioned on 145-3, needing only another 42 runs to win the contest.

Scores: Scorpions 221 (68.2 ovs) & 196 (62.3 ovs); Hurricanes 231 (58.3 ovs) & 145-3 (51 ovs).

West Indies Test batsman Justin Greaves is on a patiently compiled 62 not out, while Jahmar Hamilton is on nine.

The Scorpions off-spinner Peat Salmon has taken 2-54.

Mansingh, who made a second-innings 52 for the Scorpions, said the pitch appeared to settle down in favour of the batsmen on day three.

“It definitely flattened out a bit today. On the first two days there was a bit more assistance to the bowlers. We should have put ourselves in a better position coming into today, with more wickets in hand. That’s something we’ll probably look back on and regret,” he told the Jamaica Observer at the close.

He said the composure and temperament shown by Barbadian Greaves, who also made a half-century in the first innings, have been decisive.

“I think Justin Greaves has proved what it takes to make runs at this level. He hasn’t played a shot in anger, he hasn’t played a ball in the air, and I think he’s been the difference in this game with two half-centuries,” Mansingh, 26, explained.

The Hurricanes opener Mikyle Louis, who made 57 to help steady the innings after they lost two early wickets in their run chase, said his 105-run, third-wicket stand with Greaves has put them in a “winning position”.

“The goal today, for me, was to put the team in a position [of strength], see off the new ball, and make sure that at the end of the day we were in a winning position. I had a good partnership with Justin Greaves — he’s a very experienced batter to guide me,” the 23-year-old from St Kitts and Nevis said.

Earlier, Jamaica Scorpions resumed from their overnight score of 59-4 and lost the wickets of West Indies Test left-hander Kirk McKenzie (33), Peat Salmon (22), and Romaine Morris (0) to slump to 97-7.

Mansingh and Derval Green added a crucial 37 runs for the eighth wicket before the latter was sent back to the pavilion for 19.

Former Jamaica youth captain, Ramaal Lewis, playing his first match of the season, joined Mansingh and they further frustrated the visitors as the Scorpions went to lunch at 173-8.

They continued after the interval, putting together a 58-run, ninth-wicket stand that took the lead closer to 200.

The two batted with patience and prudent shot selection. And just one delivery after punching a back-foot four to get to 50, Mansingh played at another short ball from fast bowler Oshane Thomas and edged to wicketkeeper Hamilton. Mansingh struck seven fours and a six in his 120-ball knock.

The Scorpions inched their lead up to 186 runs before Lewis (30) was last man out, caught well inside the boundary rope by Mikyle Louis off left-arm spinner Daniel Doram.

The Hurricanes pacer Jeremiah Louis and spinner Rahkeem Cornwall took 3-24 and 3-56, respectively.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes were reduced to 10-2 in search of 187 runs for victory, as off-spinner Salmon struck twice.

Former West Indies left-hand opener Kieran Powell (0) was caught by Leroy Lugg on the long on boundary trying to hit a six, while Keacy Carty (four) was bowled playing a defensive prod to a delivery that spun sharply between bat and pad.

But Mikyle Louis, who made two centuries in a match earlier this season, and Greaves steadied the ship as the Hurricanes moved along to 50-2 at tea.

They kept milking the bowling in the final session to whittle down the target but with the score on 115 Mikyle Louis was trapped leg before wicket by off-spinner Lewis. He hit five fours and one six off 119 deliveries.

Hamilton joined Greaves and the two then took the Hurricanes to the close of play without further loss. The 30-year-old Greaves has only hit two fours off 138 balls.