Sportmax-Resolute half-centuries from Sunil Ambris and Andre Fletcher helped complete a remarkable turnaround for Windward Island Volcanoes, who secured a 2 wicket win over Jamaica Scorpions, in the West Indies Championship at St George’s on Sunday.
Set 225 to win after the Scorpions shockingly collapse for 60 in their second innings, on day three, the Windwards began the final day on 51 for three. Following the loss of marque batsman Devon Smith (0), Kimani Meluis (11) and Kaveem Hodge (21), Ambris and Flethcer combined to steady the Volcanoes early wobbles.
The two combined for a 4th wicket partnership of 105, leaving the Volcanoes just another 76 runs to win before Ambris (56) was dismissed by Jeremy Merchant. Fletcher, who top-scored with 71, would continue to anchor the team’s charge to victory but was eventually dismissed by Marqino Mindley, with the team in a solid position at 180 for 5. Keron Cottoy then contributed 24 from 49 balls before being run out, but, in the end, the team got comfortably over the line. Patrick Harty was the pick of the Scorpions second innings bowlers after claiming 53 for 3.
The Scorpions had looked in full control of the match after dismissing the Winwards for 217 in the first innings, a total still some 164 runs of their total. A disastrous second innings showing at the crease, however, handed their opponents the initiative.
Merchant (19) and Mindley (10) were the only batsman to get into double figures. Ryan John, 4 for 26, Preston McSween, 3 for 23 and Kenneth Dember, 3 for 9, did the damage as they ripped through the Scorpions batting line-up.
