With precision, passion, and a dose of pride, the Jamaica Scorpions delivered a hammer blow to Trinidad and Tobago Red Force’s title aspirations as they romped to a commanding 223-run victory in their sixth-round West Indies Championship clash under the lights at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Friday.
In a contest that ebbed and flowed over three dramatic days, it was the Scorpions who stood tallest in the crucial moments, led by a devastating bowling trio of Brad Barnes (4-19), Odean Smith (3-19), and Abhijai Mansingh (2-27)—the three combining to dismantle a Red Force side that capitulated for 165 in pursuit of an imposing 388-run target.
The win, while not vaulting Jamaica into championship contention, served as a bold statement of intent and one that could echo in the title race, as Red Force, who entered the match on strong footing, may now find their long wait for silverware stretched even further.
Scores: Jamaica Scorpions: 372 & 187; T&T Red Force: 171 & 165
Resuming on 20-3, holding a 221-run lead, Jamaica’s second innings got the spark it needed from the experienced Brandon King, who anchored the middle order with a well-crafted 89 off 142 balls, laced with 11 boundaries and a six. He combined with first-innings hero Javelle Glenn, who added 22, to extend the overnight partnership to 75 before Bryan Charles — who would later finish with 4-82 — found the edge of Glenn’s bat to break the stand.
Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Aldaine Thomas struck a breezy 22 but became Charles’ second scalp, and King’s dismissal, caught by Khary Pierre attempting to up the scoring tempo, triggered the final collapse. Only Abhijai Mansingh, left stranded on 27 not out, offered resistance in the tail as the Scorpions were eventually dismissed for 187.
Khary Pierre supported Charles with 3-43, while Shannon Gabriel, threatening early in the innings, wrapped with 2-28.
If there was ever a time for Trinidad and Tobago to summon their best with the bat, it was now. Instead, their title push unravelled spectacularly.
After a promising start, they stumbled to 81-4, with Smith striking key blows — removing Cephas Cooper (24), Amir Jangoo (18), and captain Joshua Da Silva (16) in a hostile spell that rattled the top order. Marquino Mindley chipped in when he bowled Kamil Pooran (four) to tighten Jamaica’s grip.
From there, it was the Brad Barnes show, as the spinner dismantled the middle order, accounting for Jason Mohammed (23), Khary Pierre (eight), Yannic Cariah (zero), and Joshua James (six) in a clinical spell.
Bryan Charles, the only Red Force batter to show any real intent, struck 28 from 31 balls, but Mansingh cleaned up the tail, removing Charles and Shannon Gabriel (zero) to seal an emphatic win. Terrance Hinds, unbeaten on 17, was left stranded as the Scorpions celebrated.
Despite the defeat, Red Force provisionally climbed to the top of the table with 105.4 points, thanks to accumulated bonus points, but with defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles poised for victory in their clash against Leeward Islands Hurricanes, that summit spot may be short-lived.
Meanwhile, the Scorpions provisionally sit third on 82.8 points but will take heart from this performance.
