JAMAICA Scorpions Head Coach Robert Haynes says his team remains in a strong position despite conceding 348 runs to Barbados Pride on the first day of their West Indies Championship four-day clash at Chedwin Park in St Catherine.

After facing six overs before the close of play on day one, the hosts are to resume at 10:00 am on Monday on 17 without loss. Left-handers Kirk McKenzie, on eight, and skipper John Campbell (three), are the not out batsmen.

The Scorpions need a further 332 runs to gain first-innings points after bowling out the Pride for 348 in 81.4 overs.

Pacer Marquino Mindley and spinner Peat Salmon led the Scorpions bowlers with four wickets each. But the hosts were made to toil following an impressive 153 from Kevin Wickham and a half-century from left-hander Kyle Mayers.

Although spending most of the first day in the field, Haynes says he’s satisfied with the proceedings so far.

“It’s funny, because they would have gotten two batting points and we got 10 wickets — we would have gotten three points — so overall right now we are in front,” he said.

“It’s a flat track, a few balls kept low. I think that we bowled a little bit wayward today. We weren’t as consistent as we wanted to; but in saying that, Mindley was exceptional. He really bowled well, he bowled straight — wicket to wicket — and he got the reward. Peat bowled a good spell and he could have done better, but overall it wasn’t the best bowling performance. But at the end of the day, we still have to go here and bat. At 17 without losing a wicket after six overs, it’s a good start.”

The visitors, who won the toss, were in trouble early on as they struggled to 23 for three inside seven overs, with Mindley getting the wickets of Captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Jonathan Drakes while fellow fast bowler Ojay Shields got rid of Shane Moseley.

However, Wickham and Mayers steadied the innings with a 117-run partnership.

Though Mayers went for 64, Wickham continued his aggression to raise his century and finished with six fours and 12 sixes.

He received support from Shamar Springer (40) and Joshua Bishop (37).

The Scorpions bowlers claimed the last three wickets fairly quickly to ensure Barbados did not cross the 350 mark.

The Scorpions team selection was questioned after leaving out St Catherine Cricket Club left-arm spinner Jeavor Royal who would have been playing on his home ground.

However, Haynes doesn’t believe it to be an issue.

“We have always done well over the years with off spinners against Barbados, and Brad last year got six wickets against them in Barbados. Peat has gotten wickets before against them and, at the end of the day, we just felt that on this surface, the off-spinners would have done a lot better. It’s just for us to come back, get these runs, and go back out there and try and bowl out Barbados.”

Jair McAllister of Barbados Pride dodges a ball during the West Indies Championship four-day match against Jamaica Scorpions at Chedwin Park on Sunday.

Jamaica Scorpions bowler Peat Salmon (left) celebrates with skipper John Campbell after taking a wicket during the West Indies Championship four-day cricket match against Barbados Pride.

Barbados Pride batsman Kevin Wickham (left) acknowledges reaching 150 runs during the West Indies Championship four-day match against Jamaica Scorpions at Chedwin Park on Sunday. Looking on is Scorpions wicketkeeper Romaine Morris. (Photos: Naphtali Junior)