JAMAICA Scorpions stamped their authority on their opening West Indies Championship encounter against Windward Islands Volcanoes, as they held a commanding 214-run lead at stumps on day two at Arnos Vale on Thursday.
Resuming on 291-7, the Scorpions, led by former West Indies vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood, who converted his overnight 101 into a solid 109, pushed their first-innings total to 337. However, it was with the ball that Blackwood truly shone, as he teamed up with pace-bowling all-rounder Odean Smith to snatch three wickets each and limit the Volcanoes to 195.

With a 142-run first-innings lead, Scorpions’ openers Kirk McKenzie and Carlos Brown made further inroads with a steady 72-run stand in their second turn at bat. Though Brown fell for 30 in the final over of the day, McKenzie remained unbeaten on 36 and will resume on Friday’s penultimate day alongside captain John Campbell.

Scores: Jamaica Scorpions 337 & 72-1; Windward Islands Volcanoes 195
Blackwood managed just eight more runs before falling for 109 after a 40-run partnership with Jeavor Royal (26). Marquino Mindley chipped in with a brisk 10 off nine balls before he was trapped leg-before-wicket by Daurius Martin, and Royal was last to depart as the Scorpions wrapped up their innings on 337.

Martin (2-74), Darel Cyrus (2-26), and Gilon Tyson (2-66) shared six wickets among them for the Volcanoes, but the damage had already been done.
In response, the Volcanoes found themselves in early trouble against an inspired Scorpions attack. Blackwood, showing his all-round capabilities, ripped through the top order as he took the scalps of Stephan Pascal (30), Keron Cottoy (0), and Jeremy Solozano (13).
Mindley then removed captain Sunil Ambris for 20, caught behind, and the Volcanoes were wobbling at 67-4. A brief recovery followed as Shadrack Descarte (36) and wicketkeeper Gian Benjamin (8) put on 55 for the fifth wicket. However, their resistance was short-lived as they both departed within the space of an over, with the score at 122-6.

Ryan John mounted a lone battle and top scored with 41 off 96 balls, but his efforts proved futile as partners dwindled. Kenneth Dember (15) and Cyrus (one) fell cheaply before Smith wrapped up the innings, taking care of John and Martin (four) to dismiss the Volcanoes for 195.
Blackwood finished with impressive figures of 3-27 from eight overs, while Smith returned 3-55 from 12.4 overs, as both ensured the Scorpions secured first-innings honours and a vital 142-run lead.

Determined to press home their advantage, McKenzie and Brown produced a far better start than in the first innings. The pair looked composed in their 72-run stand before Brown, on 30 from 44 balls, edged Dember behind to wicketkeeper Benjamin in the dying moments of the day.
Though his dismissal ended the day on a bittersweet note for the Scorpions, they remain firmly in control and will look to pile on an unassailable lead. (Sportsmax)