KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Barbados Pride’s Jamaican import, Marquino Mindley, smashed rookie off-spinner Akim Fraser for six to ease the tension and hand the visitors a nerve-jangling two-wicket victory over Jamaica Scorpions, on the final day of their 10th round match here yesterday.
Resuming the day on five without loss in pursuit of a modest 158 for victory, Pride appeared on course for an easy win when they reached 136 for four, behind captain Shamarh Brooks’ top score of 71.
But left-arm spinner Nikita Miller (3-43) and Akim Frazer (3-55) tore through the middle order as Pride lost four wickets for 11 runs to crash to 147 for eight, to set up a tense finish.
The 24-year-old Mindley, however, who made his first class debut for Jamaica five years ago at Sabina Park, then proved the hero for the visitors, displaying a cool head and allowing them to pick up their fifth win of the competition.
No such drama was envisioned even though Pride stumbled to 26 for two in the first session after losing both openers Kraigg Brathwaite (17) and left-hander Shayne Moseley (3), both bowled by ex-Test seamer Jerome Taylor.
Brooks, who has endured a wretched campaign with the bat, came to his side’s rescue with his first half-century of the season, facing 146 balls in a shade over 2-¾ hours, and striking nine fours.
More importantly, he stitched together three small successive partnerships, putting on 33 for the third wicket with Jonathan Carter (6), adding a further 30 for the fourth wicket with Test batsman Roston Chase (18) before posting 47 for the fifth wicket with all-rounder Shamarh Springer (18).
Springer’s demise, lbw to Miller, triggered the slump and when Brooks followed, lbw in Miller’s next over, panic set in for Pride before the nerveless Mindley took them over the line.
