Scorpions all-rounder calls for patient bowling approach vs Pride
All-rounder Odean Smith says the Jamaica Scorpions will need to adopt a more patient bowling approach as they hunt first-innings advantage against Barbados Pride in the West Indies Championship four-day cricket match.
At stumps on the rain-truncated second day of the contest at Sabina Park, the Pride were 125-1 in their first-innings reply to the Scorpions 457.
Kraigg Brathwaite, unbeaten on 51, and Jonathan Drakes, on 17, are the batsmen set to resume at 9:30 this morning.
Scores: Jamaica 457 (103 ovs); Barbados 125-1 (27 ovs)
After play was called off in late afternoon on Monday — with wet weather wiping out the entire last session — Smith, who bludgeoned a meaty half-century to push the Scorpions past 450, conceded they missed the mark when they bowled.
“I think we tried to blast them out for most parts instead of being patient and staying on a good length for longer. They got away but I think we have to come back tomorrow and work on the patience game,” he told the
Jamaica Observer.
“They have lost only one wicket but we still have a big lead and they have a long way to go if they are going to get to first innings [advantage]. I think we have the quality to bowl them out before they even get close to 450,” the 29-year-old Smith said.
Barbados Pride all-rounder Shamar Springer was optimistic of his team’s chances after pegging back the Jamaica Scorpions who were 331-3 at one stage on the opening afternoon.
“I think it’s a good start, a good platform to have. We have some quality batters to come, but hopefully the guys at the crease can take us all the way through to get first innings and then we would assess from there,” he said.
He said better execution contributed to their improved bowling display as they claimed six wickets for the loss of 99 runs on Monday.
“I think we had clear plans and we stuck to them a little longer than on Sunday and we executed better as a result of that,” said 28-year-old Springer, who led his team’s bowling with 3-99 from 24 overs.
On Monday, the Scorpions resumed from their overnight score of 354 and were in danger of being dismissed for under 400 runs in the face of disciplined bowling from the visitors.
Brad Barnes, one of the overnight batsmen, went for 40 with the score on 367-5, and Abhijai Mansingh (0) went one run later.
Left-hander Romaine Morris, the other overnight batsman, went for 25, and Peat Salmon made only three as the Scorpions slipped to 388-8.
However, Smith launched a number of typical lusty blows in a 68-run partnership with Ojay Shields for the ninth wicket. Smith was eventually dismissed for a 70-ball 54 which included five fours and four sixes.
Shields was the last man out for 14.
Springer, who bowls pace, stood out for the Pride, getting the ball to swing appreciably on the second morning to finish.
Facing a big first-innings, the Pride openers Brathwaite and left-hander Shayne Moseley replied with fluent stroke play against mostly loose bowling to rack up a century stand in quick time.
But when they reached 105, Moseley, the more attacking of the batsmen was deceived by a delivery from off spinner Peat Salmon to be bowled for a 60-ball 53.
Barbados went to the tea break with Brathwaite, the former West Indies Test captain, and Drakes as the not out batsmen. However, rain began during the break and persisted deep into the afternoon to prevent any further play.
Brathwaite has hit seven fours from 87 deliveries.
— Sanjay Myers