Peat Salmon’s seven for 56 positioned Jamaica Scorpions one wicket away from victory but a 25-run, 44-minute resistance from Guyana Jaguars’ last pair brought them within 27 runs of their target of 182, heading into the final day of the West Indies Championship fourth round at Providence.
On a third day that saw 16 wickets tumbling, including 10 leg before wicket decisions, Scorpions resumed on 50 for three and an unbeaten half century from Nkrumah Bonner propelled them to 184 all out in 62 overs. Jaguars were 155 for nine at stumps after toiling for 50 overs including a three-hour final session.
Veerasammy Permaul is currently on 20 from 60 balls in an innings that so far lasted 65 minutes and sheltered number 11 batsman, Keon Joseph who is on five after spending 45 minutes at the crease.
The off-spinner Salmon, on debut, ripped through the hosts’ batting line up yesterday after a sharp catch from Jermaine Blackwood at first slip sent Chandrapaul Hemraj back in the shed for 13 from 16 balls as Jaguars went to tea on 48 for one.
Salmon struck with his fifth ball after tea to remove Tagenarine Chanderpaul for 12 while his off spinning partner, Jamie Merchant accounted for the skipper, Leon Johnson as the second leg before wicket of the six decisions given in the innings. Vishaul Singh (00) and Christopher Barnwell (12) also fell to Salmon via leg before wicket.
But Raymon Reifer and Anthony Bramble countered with a 47-run resistance before Reifer became Salmon’s fifth scalp after being bowled with an arm ball for 13.
Bramble, during his 37-minute stay went on to score 32 from 31 balls, featuring five boundaries, including a one handed sweep off of Salmon into backward square.
Salmon, however, brought Scorpions back into the contest as he struck twice in two balls to remove Kevin Sinclair (13) and Nial Smith (00).
Earlier, Jaguars kept Scorpions at bay as Permaul bagged six for 50 while Sinclair and Reifer picked up two wickets each.
, Bonner shepherded Scorpions’ revival with a responsible 57 not out that came from 123 balls.
His over two hours stay in the middle resulted in five boundaries and he was instrumental in a 46-run partnership with Derval Green (19) and a ninth wicket stand of 45 with Merchant who made 26.
The final day resumes at 09.30 hours.
