Rain plays spoiler in Scorpions Super 50 opener

THE OPENING day of the CG United Super 50 Cup was severely hampered by inclement weather, with two of the opening fixtures ending in no results because of it.

The Jamaica Scorpions, however, got some action, and maybe it was a case of the rain coming at the right time, as the Guyana Harpy Eagles, asked to take the first strike, were in a good position at 287 for six before the rains came.

It was a resolute start from the Guyana batters, as captain Matthew Nandu and Raymond Perez grabbed themselves half-centuries in an opening stand worth 107 in 20 overs.

It took some brilliant work in the field by Carlos Brown to break the partnership, as his throw saw Perez run out for a well-played 61, which included six fours and a six.

Thirty-seven runs later, Scorpions captain Brad Barnes brought himself on as the fifth change bowler. His introduction bore fruit, as he had his opposite number Nandu brilliantly caught at point by Abhijai Mansingh for 54.

Kamol Savory helped himself to a pair of boundaries in getting to 25, but he was cut down by Barnes, who had him trapped in front at 151 for three.

Kevlon Anderson then decided he was intent on pushing the scoring, and he and Mahindra Dindyal took the Harpy Eagles to 215 in the 39th over, before Dindyal went leg before wicket to leg-spinner Mansingh for 26.

At 215 for four, the Scorpions felt they were right back in the contest, but Anderson stepped up a gear and swiftly wrestled away the initiative.

The right-hander faced 60 balls and hit 10 fours and three sixes, but just as the conditions had gotten even more overcast, Anderson went for one shot too many and was caught at mid-wicket by Barnes off veteran Marquino Mindley for 83.

Mindley struck with his very next ball, as he had Keemo Paul holding out in the deep for a first-ball duck.

The heavens opened after that wicket and the heavy showers forced the players off the park, with the Harpy Eagles 287 for six with three overs to go in the innings.

The persistent showers forced umpires Leslie Reifer and Lyndon Rajkumar to call off the game, with both teams taking home two points and whatever bonus points they may have gained.

Over at the UWI ground, the match between the Barbados Pride and the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force was also called off after their game started at 2:17 p.m. local time as a 20-over per side affair.

The Pride, asked to take the first strike, were 48 without loss after five overs, with captain Kyle Mayers on 24 and Leniko Boucher on 21. The rain returned once again and forced the game to be called off.

The only other game, a day-night affair between the Leeward and Windward Islands, promised to be an interesting affair.

At press time, the Windwards were 92-2 in the 16th over, in response to a mammoth 324 from the Leewards.

The Leewards benefited from a pair of half-centuries from opener Mikyle Louis (59) and designated number-three, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett (56). The two were able to play anchor roles for the Leewards’ other opener, Kofi James, who smashed 103 from 87 deliveries.