Green’s speed and Merchant’s spin give Jamaica big win

Fast bowler Derval Green and off-spinner Jamie Merchant wrecked Windward Islands Volcanoes batting with five-wicket hauls, to propel Jamaica Scorpions to an innings and 14-run victory on the third day of the third round of the West Indies Championship on Friday.

Resuming the day at the Brian Lara Stadium on 101-3 in their second innings and still requiring a further 108 runs to avoid an innings defeat, Volcanoes were demolished by Green who snatched 5-46 with his accurate pace and Merchant who ended with 5-72, as he got the ball to turn and bounce.

Scoreboard: https://www.windiescricket.com/matches/211471/#scorecard

Volcanoes looked good at 163-4 midway through the morning session but a stunning collapse – losing their last six wickets for 32 runs – handed Scorpions an easy win after lunch.Captain Kavem Hodge top-scored with 63 and Keron Cottoy chipped in with 21. On 33 at the start, Hodge stitched together two small partnerships in the morning session, putting on 26 for the fourth wicket with Ackeem Auguste (11) and a further 36 for the fifth with Alick Athanaze (21).

Cottoy, meanwhile, also punched two boundaries before succumbing to Merchant, bowled playing back and two balls later in the same over, keeper Denis Smith was also bowled, the delivery breaching a front foot defensive stroke. On 165-6 at lunch with Hodge on 56, Volcanoes were undone afterwards by Green who snatched three of the four wickets to fall including that of Hodge, bowled dragging on a short ball – the first delivery after the resumption.