KIRK McKenzie’s stirring century has given Jamaica Scorpions a glimmer of hope in their pursuit of a daunting 489-run target, as they reached 179-3 at the close of day three against the Guyana Harpy Eagles in their regional four-day match at Sabina Park on Friday.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles had set Jamaica the large target after declaring their second innings closed on 193-3. Resuming on 68-1, the Guyana Harpy Eagles added a further 125 runs for the loss of two wickets to declare their second innings closed, with a lead of 488 runs.

In reply, Jamaica’s task was always going to be challenging but McKenzie’s 104-run not out innings has given the home team a fighting chance. Jamaica Scorpions will enter the fourth and final day today needing a further 310 runs for victory, with seven wickets in hand.

McKenzie is optimistic about Jamaica’s chances, believing that if the team applies itself it can pull off a victory..

“I think the game is set up very well for us,” McKenzie told the Jamaica Observer after the game yesterday.

“We have confidence in our abilities. We back ourselves, as the plan is to win the game at the end of the day. It’s now up to us to come out [on Saturday] and apply ourselves. If we apply ourselves and continue to do the same thing we have been doing today, I can see a victory for Jamaica.”

McKenzie’s century was the highlight of Jamaica’s innings, which saw them recover from the early loss of Odain McCatty for five runs, with the score on 18-1 in 3.1 overs. McKenzie and Brandon King then shared a 132-run partnership, with King scoring 53 runs from 110 balls before he fell to a brilliant catch by Kevin Sinclair off the bowling of Ronaldo Alimohamed with the score on 150-2 in 39.4 overs. King accounted for eight fours during his innings.

Jermaine Blackwood didn’t last at the crease as he fell for a four-ball duck, leaving Jamaica at 165-3 in 42.2 overs. But McKenzie remained solid, finishing the day unbeaten on 104 runs from 147 balls, with nine boundaries and five sixes. Jamaica will resume on day four with McKenzie and Javelle Glenn, who is five not out, looking to continue their fightback.

“It is a very good feeling,” McKenzie said. “It is my second first class century and so it is a very good feeling. I think I was more positive in this innings. I trust my plans, I trust my game, and I just went out there and executed. It is having a plan and sticking to the plan as much as possible.”

Earlier in the day, Tagenarine Chanderpaul resumed his overnight score of 37 runs and added another 37 runs to top-score for Guyana Harpy Eagles with 74 runs from 172 balls. His innings included three fours and one six, and he shared a crucial, 83-run, second-wicket partnership with Tevin Imlach, the captain. Imlach carried his overnight score of 19 runs to 31 runs from 100 balls, managing one six along the way. The Eagles’ total was further boosted by Kevlon Anderson’s unbeaten 50 runs from 85 balls and Kemol Savoy’s unbeaten 25 runs from 45 balls.

The Jamaica Scorpions’ bowling efforts were led by Marquino Mindley, Odean Smith, and Brad Barnes, who took the wickets.

Jamaica Scorpions’ Marquino Mindley bowls during the third day of the regional four-day match against Guyana Harpy Eagles at Sabina Park on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)