Cornwall’s 5-54 and 56* to the rescue as Leewards push for win

An heroic allrounder performance by Rahkeem Cornwall gave Leeward Islands Hurricanes the advantage over Jamaica Scorpions at the close of the third day of their West Indies Championship four-day first-class match at Coolidge Cricket Ground on Friday.

Cornwall claimed five wickets for 54 as Scorpions, resuming on 186-6 in reply to Hurricanes’ 260, were dismissed for 234 in their first innings. It was Cornwall’s 23rd five-wicket haul in his 77th first-class appearance. For the visitors Abhijai Mansingh, in his first knock at this level, started the day unbeaten overnight on 34, and reached made 56 off 176 balls with seven fours.

Scorecard: https://www.windiescricket.com/matches/215144/#scorecard

With a lead of 26 runs, Cornwall was again the Hurricanes hero as he made a forthright unbeaten 56 from 73 balls – his 16thhalf century as he home team ended on 198-7 – an overall lead of 224 runs heading into what promises to be an action-packed final day on Saturday.

Montcin Hodge (31) and left-hander Kieran Powell (28) posted 55 for the first wicket before off-spinner Jamie Merchant (2-27) removed both. Then, West Indies Keacy Carty (26) and Kofi James added 28 for the third but a slide saw three wickets go down for 25 runs, to give Scorpions the upper hand.

However, Cornwall put on 35 for the sixth wicket with Terrance Ward (4) and further 32 in an unbroken eighth wicket stand with Hayden Walsh (13 not out), to bolster Hurricanes late in the day.

Over at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium: fast bowlers Akeem Jordan and Keon Harding hauled Barbados Pride back into their first round contest against Guyana Harpy Eagles, to set up an interesting final day.

Scorecard: https://www.windiescricket.com/matches/215143/#scorecard

Trailing by 151 after they were dismissed for 220 in their first innings on Friday’s third day, Pride then rocked Harpy Eagles courtesy of Jordan (3-18) and Harding (3-27), sending the innings crashing to 91-8 at the close – a lead of 242 runs.

Lively seamer Jair McAllister got the initial breakthrough in the second over when he got Tevin Imlach to top-edge a pull before he had scored, for Jordan to snare the catch running around from leg gully.

Earlier, Barbados lost seven wickets for 115 runs, after resuming the morning on 105-3. Shamarh Brooks struck 61, all-rounder Shamar Springer got 35 not out while nightwatchman Harding chipped in with 24.

Brooks, who faced 141 balls and counted five fours, stretched his overnight fourth wicket stand with Harding to 57 before the stand was broken, Harding bowled missing a heave at West Indies left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul who finished with 4-53.