Kirk McKenzie narrowly missed out on a well-deserved century, scoring 90 runs off 92 balls, leading the Jamaica Scorpions to a comfortable 80-run victory over the West Indies Academy via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in their Regional Super50 match at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in Trinidad.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, the Scorpions posted a total of 250 runs in 48.1 overs. Due to rain delays, the West Indies Academy was set a revised target of 236 runs in 43 overs but could only manage 155 runs in 28 overs, marking their second defeat in as many matches. This victory was a crucial first win for the Scorpions after their opening match loss to the Barbados Pride.
A significant 93-run partnership between McKenzie and opener John Campbell helped stabilize the innings, especially after the early dismissal of Odain McCatty, who was out for a first-ball duck. The partnership brought the score to 95 before Campbell was caught and bowled by Joshua Bishop after scoring 39 runs off 32 balls.
Jermaine Blackwood then joined McKenzie, and the pair added a further 78 runs, pushing the score to 173 for two in the 30th over. However, McKenzie was eventually dismissed by Johann Layne, leading to a middle-order collapse where the Scorpions lost their last eight wickets for just 77 runs. Jediah Blades shone with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for 46 runs, while Bishop took 3 for 35 and Layne 2 for 40.
In response, the West Indies Academy got off to the worst possible start, losing openers Justin Jagessar and Ackeem Auguste for ducks, leaving them at 2 for 2. Teddy Bishop top-scored with 61 runs, and Rivaldo Clarke contributed 35 runs in an 83-run partnership for the third wicket to steady the innings. However, the Academy began to crumble after Clarke was dismissed by Brad Barnes, losing wickets regularly with no other batters making significant contributions.
Marquino Mindley was the standout bowler with figures of 3 for 6, while Barnes ended with 3 for 22 and Jeavor Royal captured 3 for 44, helping secure the victory for the Scorpions.