Steven Katwaroo of Trinidad and Tobago Red Force plays down the leg side as Jamaica Scorpions’ wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton and Paul Palmer react during their regional first-class game at Queen’s Park Oval yesterday.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — John Campbell stroked an unbeaten half-century to complete an extraordinary day and a Man-of-the- Match performance as Jamaica Scorpions easily beat Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by six wickets here yesterday, to go second in the regional first class standings.
Set 156 for victory on the final day of the third-round match at Queen’s Park Oval, Scorpions were safely guided to their target by opener Campbell who hit 83 in a mature innings. The 22-year-old had earlier added three more wickets to his overnight four as Red Force, beginning the day on 87 for four, were dismissed for 175.
Campbell, a part-time offspinner, finished with careerbest figures of seven for 73 to ensure the hosts lost their remaining six wickets for just 88 runs. Wicketkeeper Steven Katwaroo struck 29, tail-ender Daniel St Clair got 26, while Captain Yannick Ottley chipped in with 24.
When Red Force tumbled to 133 for eight in the morning session, it appeared as if Scorpions would wrap up an early victory, but Katwaroo and St Clair defied the visitors in a 38-run, ninth-wicket partnership. Katwaroo faced 60 balls in 69 minutes and struck a four and a six, while St Clair belted four boundaries in a lively 22- ball knock.
Once left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, who picked up three for 64, trapped St Clair lbw at 171, Scorpions quickly got the last wicket to end the Red Force innings. Campbell then ensured there would be no hiccups by anchoring a series of small partnerships throughout the Scorpions run chase.
The left-hander, who faced 150 balls in 2-3/4 hours at the crease and gathered seven fours, put on 41 for the first wicket with Captain Paul Palmer who scored 17, and then added a further 45 for the second wicket with Barbadian Kirk Edwards who hit 20 off 43 balls.
Campbell posted 39 for the third wicket with first-innings century-maker Andre McCarthy who made 17, a partnership which pushed Scorpions past the 100-run mark and closer to victory. Left-arm spinner Kavesh Kantasingh finished with three for 51.
With the victory, Scorpions moved into second spot with 34 points, 19 behind leaders Guyana Jaguars. Red Force, meanwhile, are joint third with Barbados Pride on 28 points.