ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Veteran opener Devon Smith continued his domination at first class level, stroking his 36th hundred as Windward Islands Volcanoes kept under-pressure Jamaica Scorpions in the field all day on the opening day of their fifth round match here yesterday.
The 37-year-old hit a superb 124 which steered the hosts to 263 for six in their first innings, after they were inserted at the Grenada National Stadium.
Kavem Hodge extended his good form with 56 while wicketkeeper Denis Smith ended the day unbeaten on 36.
Left-arm spinner Dennis Bulli led the attack in the absence of veteran Nikita Miller, claiming five for 94.
In fact, it was Bulli who put Scorpions in command in the morning session, taking all three wickets as the hosts stumbled to 61 for three. He trapped Taryck Gabriel lbw for 10 at the start of the second hour before bowling both Tyrone Theohile (6) and captain Kirk Edwards (6).
However, Devon Smith and Hodge came together to prop up the innings in a fourth wicket stand worth 144.
While the left-handed Smith struck 16 fours off 209 deliveries, Hodge faced 96 balls and counted five boundaries.
When Bulli broke the stand by having Smith stumped, Volcanoes lost three wickets for two runs before Denis Smith and Sherman Lewis, unbeaten on 16, combined in an unbroken 56-run, seventh wicket stand to frustrate Scorpions.
Smith has so far faced 71 deliveries and struck four fours.