KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Romaine Morris’ maiden first class fifty went in vain as Windward Islands Volcanoes dominated hosts Jamaica Scorpions, to pull off a nine-wicket win inside three days here yesterday.
Resuming the morning on 76 for four in their second innings, Scorpions were dismissed for 234 with Morris top-scoring with a breezy 68 after entering at number eight.
Test batsman Nkrumah Bonner, unbeaten on 36 overnight, made 45 while Gordon Bryan struck a patient 31.
Seamer Darius Martin added another wicket to his three-wicket haul overnight to finish with four for 85 while medium pacer Shamar Springer (2-30) and off-spinner Kenneth Dember (2-50) picked up two wickets apiece.
Set a modest 53 for victory, Volcanoes cruised to their target despite the early loss of Kimani Melius for four, Jeremy Solozano (29 not out) and Johann Jeremiah (22 not out) taking their side over the line in an unbroken 49-run, second wicket stand.
Earlier, Bonner and Bryan frustrated Volcanoes in a 39-run fifth wicket stand to keep alive Scorpions hopes of pushing the game into the final day of the first round contest.
Bonner faced 77 balls and struck seven fours while Bryan, starting the day on one, counted four fours and a six in a knock lasting 103 deliveries.
Once Bonner was struck in front by Springer, however, the Scorpions innings unravelled and it was left to Morris to get them past the 200-run mark.
Starting his innings on resumption from lunch with Scorpions on 131 for six, Morris struck seven fours and two sixes off only 72 deliveries.
Importantly, he put on 30 for the seventh wicket with Peat Salmon (15) and a crucial 52 for the ninth wicket with Derval Green (7) before he was last out.
Melius then nicked off to the ’keeper off fast bowler Marquino Mindley before Solozano and Jeremiah combined to give Volcanoes the points.
