KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Roland Cato struck his fourth first class half-century as Windward Islands Hurricanes put themselves in pole position to beat Jamaica Scorpions in their day/night third round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship here Sunday.
Heading into yesterday’s final day, Volcanoes were well placed on 176 for four in their second innings, needing only a further 111 runs to notch their second win of the tournament.
Cato was one of the keys behind the run chase, stroking 54 while veteran opener Devon Smith struck 44 and captain Kirk Edwards, an unbeaten 35.
Earlier, Scorpions were dismissed for 189 after resuming Sunday’s penultimate day on 129 for six in their second innings.
Left-hander Assad Fudadin, unbeaten overnight on 31, top-scored with 48 while Aldaine Thomas made 31, as Scorpions lost their last four wickets for 60 runs.
Fudadin and Thomas combined in an important 52-run, seventh wicket stand, which garnered the home side precious runs.
Fudadin faced 173 balls in a patient knock and counted four fours while Thomas hit four boundaries in a 48-ball innings.
Once left-arm spinner Kavem Hodge trapped Thomas lbw, however, Scorpions lost their last four wickets for 11 runs, with Fudadin last out. Rookie pacer Josh Thomas finished with four for 44 while new-ball partner Sherman Lewis (2-26), along with Hodge (2-34) and fellow left-armer Larry Edward (2-39) all picked up two wickets each.
Set 287 for victory, Windwards benefitted from two strong partnerships up front as Smith put on 33 for the first wicket with Taryck Gabriel (19) and a further 68 for the second wicket with Cato.
Smith struck five fours in 125 balls at the crease while Cato faced 143 deliveries and counted eight boundaries.
When Smith perished, Cato found an ally in Edwards to add 46 for the third wicket, before he was the third to fall, becoming the first of two wickets for West Indies all-rounder Rovman Powell (2-40).
Edwards has so far faced 86 deliveries and hit two fours and a six.
