Windies cricket.com
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Jeavor Royal made 38 not out and then took two wickets in lion-hearted all-round display which helped Jamaica Scorpions beat Leeward Islands Hurricanes at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Friday.
With the Jamaicans on 135-9 in the 38th over, the 22-year-old shared a record last-wicket stand of 85 with Fabian Allen, who made 44 off 42 balls which lifted them to 220 all out. Royal’s face-saving knock was one of the best by a Number 11 in the tournament’s history. He hit two fours and two sixes off 40 balls and was named the CG Insurance Man-of-the-Match. Allen also played fluently on both sides of the wicket. He struck three fours and three sixes, before he was last out – well caught by keeper Devon Thomas off Quinton Boatswain.
In reply, the Hurricanes reached 136-3 in the 36th over before a third rain break in the afternoon left them with a revised target of 194 off 43 overs. They eventually reached 187-8 and Jamaica won by just six runs under the Duckworth Lewis Stern Method. Nitish Kumar top-scored with 51 while captain Devon Thomas got 49, as they added 64 for the fourth wicket.
Near the end left-hander, Colin Archibald hit three towering sixes, to keep hopes alive but he was dismissed in the penultimate over of the thrilling contest and the home side fell short. Off-spinner Jamie Merchant claimed 3-44 and Royal bagged 2-31 with his left-arm spin to restrict the scoring. Allen also played a major role with left-arm spin as his 10-over spell only cost 27 runs.