JAMAICA Scorpions Head Coach Robert Haynes says his pace bowling unit fell a bit short in the rain-affected drawn second match of the bilateral series against Barbados this week.

The Pride claimed first-innings points against the Scorpions after racking up a mammoth 626-8 declared in reply to 457 posted by the hosts on a docile Sabina Park pitch. The Scorpions, batting a second time, were 90-4 when play ended on Wednesday’s fourth and final day.

For Barbados, opener Kraigg Brathwaite struck 176 and the impressive Kevin Wickham added 105. Shayne Moseley, Jonathan Drakes and Kyke Mayers made half-centuries.

Off-spinner Peat Salmon was the pick of the Scorpions bowlers with 4-147 from 39 overs.

Fast bowlers Odean Smith (2-90) and Ojay Shields (0-101) were both wayward and conceded over five runs per over.

Their pace bowling teammate Marquino Mindley, who took seven wickets in the opening match victory at Chedwin Park, was far more accurate in claiming 1-78 from 24.3 overs at Sabina Park.

Haynes told the Jamaica Observer that the Scorpions lost ground in the match when Barbados were able to race to 182-1 by the 43rd over.

“Mindley was our best bowler again in terms of fast bowlers… the other fast bowlers bowled a little too wide,” he said during a post-match interview.

“It’s important when we have the new ball that we bowl straighter. On a track that is so good for batting you have to really put the ball in front of the batsmen.”

The Scorpions coach noted that the pace bowling was not the only sore point.

DRAKES… we batted well, with Kevin Wickham continuing his good form, and it was good to see Kraigg Brathwaite showing his class and getting a big score Photo: Sanjay Myers

“Barbados played some very good cricket — it was a nice wicket for batting. The bowlers had a rough time but I don’t think the fielding backed them up,” he pointed out.

He said while left-hand openers Kirk McKenzie and John Campbell have batted well and scored hundreds so far in the series, other batsmen need to convert starts into big scores.

“The way we batted in the [first innings of the] second match, I believe we would have made 600 runs as well. But, you learn from mistakes and have to go back to the drawing board and look at these things,” Haynes said.

The Pride bowlers have also been guilty of not using the new ball effectively. In the first innings of both matches Campbell and McKenzie have compiled opening stands of over 200 runs.

The duo’s 202-run partnership in 36 overs last Sunday at Sabina Park was particularly punishing.

Pace bowling all-rounder Shamar Springer was particularly impressive on the second day to finish with 3-99 off 24 overs.

But front-line fast bowlers Johann Layne (2-67 off 13 overs) and Jair McAllister (1-63 off 10 overs) were belted to all parts.

Vasbert Drakes, the Pride head coach, was not impressed by the use of the new ball.

“It was pretty much frustrating to see that we didn’t line up the ball consistently for long periods and obviously allowed Jamaica to dictate and score at over five runs per over,” he told the
Observer after the match.

“I think there were some opportunities there that we didn’t capitalise on, certainly in the first two sessions of the day. We need to be more consistent if we’re going to have more control of the cricket game.”

He acknowledged that the batting was imperious in putting them in a commanding position as they hunted for an outright win on the final day.

“We batted well, with Kevin Wickham continuing his good form, and it was good to see Kraigg Brathwaite showing his class and getting a big score. We tried to bat as deep as possible and tried to force a win,” the Pride coach said.

The Scorpions are third in the six-team table with 29.6 points, while Barbados are fourth with 19.8.

Title-holders Guyana Harpy Eagles, who have recorded back-to-back dominant wins over Windward Islands Volcanoes in Antigua, lead with 43.2 points. The Volcanoes are last with 7.6 points.

Trinidad and Tobago are second with 37 points after a victory and a draw — due to the second match being abandoned because of a dangerous pitch — against Leeward Islands Hurricanes, also in Antigua. The fifth-placed Hurricanes are on 10.8 points.

The third and final round of the league phase is scheduled to run from August 26-29.

Ojay Shields of Jamaica Scorpions bowls during the West Indies Championship cricket match against Barbados Pride at Sabina Park on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Photo: Naphtali Junior

HAYNES…it’s important when we have the new ball that we bowl straighter (Photo: Observer file)