ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Fast bowler Akeem Jordan produced a devastating four-wicket burst to set up Barbados Pride’s six-wicket victory over Jamaica Scorpions inside three days here Friday.
The 28-year-old snatched four for 65 to wipe out the top order as Scorpions, resuming the morning at Coolidge Cricket Ground on six without loss in their second innings, crumbled meekly for 151. At one stage, the innings tottered on 56 for seven before rookie opener Kirk McKenzie, who top-scored with 56, staged a fightback in a 50-run, eighth wicket stand with Ojay Shields (22) and number 10 Gordon Bryan chimed in with a breezy 42.
Left with an uncomplicated 77 for victory, Pride still lost four wickets before overhauling their target, opener Zachary McCaskie top-scoring with 26 and left-arm spinner Patrick Harty picking up three for 26.
A premature end to the contest was not on the cards when Scorpions resumed with all 10 wickets intact but the rattle started from as early as the second ball of the day when Jordan bowled Leroy Lugg before the right-hander added to his overnight two.
In his next over – the third of the morning – Jordan accounted for Lugg’s opening partner Tevin Gilzene (9), taken at cover off a leading edge at 19 for two before sending back captain Paul Palmer for only one, the left-hander dragging on a drive at a wide delivery.
Seamer Shamar Springer (2-38) hit Aldaine Thomas in front for three and Jordan then claimed his fourth when he had Abhijai Mansingh caught at the wicket without scoring, the right-armer ending with match figures of seven for 113.
The left-handed McKenzie, in his third first class match, counter-attacked in a 78-ball knock that included four fours and three sixes before becoming one of three wickets to fall to pacer Jair McAllister (3-35).
Bryan also frustrated Pride, lashing seven fours off 78 balls before he was last out.
McCaskie then got Pride up to 54 for one courtesy of two 27-run partnerships, Harty triggering a collapse that saw three wickets tumble for nine runs before the reigning champions got over the line.