Mindley bowls Scorpions to victory over WI Academy

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

A DECISIVE spell of fast bowling by fast bowler Marquino Mindley carried the Jamaica Scorpions to an exciting 40-run win over the West Indies (WI) Academy on the final day of their fifth-round clash in the West Indies Championship yesterday.

The WI Academy were favourites to win their first match of the tournament, having resumed the day on 256 for five, requiring 100 more runs for a come-from-behind victory.

Their hopes rested on Carlon Bowen-Tuckett and Joshua Bishop, who began the day on 46 and 25 respectively, and they batted positively to carry the WI Academy to 296 without further loss.

However, with Bishop one run away from a well-deserved half-century, Mindley had him caught behind by wicketkeeper Aldaine Thomas to break an 87-run partnership.

Soon after, Mindley struck again, dismissing Bowen-Tuckett for the top score of 70, to leave the WI Academy 301 for seven, still requiring another 54 runs.

With their departures, the end came swiftly for the WI Academy.

Mindley accounted for the wicket of Johann Layne for a second-ball duck without a run being added and left-arm spinner Jeavor Royal wrapped up the match by dismissing Jediah Blades and Nathan Edward for the addition of just six.

Mindley finished with 3-46, while Ojay Shields (2-51), Royal (2-77) and Brad Barnes (2-80) lent good support.

The Scorpions game proved the only one to go into the final day after the Guyana Harpy Eagles continued their excellent form, chalking up their fourth win following an impressive 10-wicket victory over the Windward Island Volcanoes at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday.

Also on Friday, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, the Leeward Islands Hurricanes delivered a masterclass in their comprehensive 373-run win over the Cobined Campuses and Colleges.

The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force had beaten the Barbados Pride at the Kensington Oval on Thursday by an innings and 56 runs.