Walton’s explosive 94 in vain, as Pride produce dominant win over Scorpions

In a captivating clash in the West Indies Super50 Cup, leg-spinner Javed Leacock delivered a career-best performance, despite an explosive 94 from Chadwick Walton, as Barbados Pride secured a resounding 47-run victory over defending champions Jamaica Scorpions.

This showdown took place at the Frank Worrell field in St. Augustine, Trinidad.

Javed Leacock, appearing in only his sixth List 'A' match, left an indelible mark with a remarkable spell of four wickets for 43 runs from eight overs. In pursuit of a target of 259, the Scorpions were eventually dismissed for 211 in 44.3 overs in the sixth match of the 50-over tournament.

Chadwick Walton's scintillating batting display stole the show as he hammered six fours and six sixes from 112 balls. Jeavor Royal added a late flourish with 44 runs from 34 balls, while West Indies Test Vice-Captain Jermaine Blackwood contributed a resilient 30. However, apart from these notable performances, no other Scorpions' batsman reached double figures.

Scorpions suffer second straight loss

Left-arm pacer Dominic Drakes, son of Pride Head Coach Vasbert Drakes, played a pivotal role with the ball, claiming two crucial wickets for just 14 runs from 3.3 overs. Roston Chase provided valuable support with two wickets for 37 runs from eight overs, helping maintain control in the middle of the Scorpions' chase.

This result marked a triumphant start for the Barbados Pride in the tournament, while it dealt a challenging blow to the Scorpions, who suffered their second consecutive defeat in their opening two matches. The Scorpions had previously faced a defeat at the hands of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, who secured an eight-wicket victory in a low-scoring encounter at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Pride made their initial breakthrough when Dominic Drakes dismissed left-handed opener Kirk McKenzie for three runs in the fourth over. However, Blackwood and Walton steadied the Scorpions, ensuring they did not lose any more wickets in the Power Play, taking the score to 60 for one after 10 overs.

Chase made key contributions by removing Blackwood and Andre McCarthy in quick succession, leading the Scorpions to a score of 109 for three at the halfway mark. The Pride bowlers, including Kyle Mayers and left-arm Raymon Reifer, continued to apply steady pressure, leading to a dramatic collapse, with three wickets falling in Javed Leacock's first over.

Leacock takes 4 wickets

Leacock's spin proved particularly effective as he capitalized on the vulnerability of Scorpions' batsmen, including Rovman Powell, who fell to leg-spin tactics. Leacock took a total of four wickets, dismissing Nkrumah Bonner (run out for nine), Rovman Powell (caught at slip for a duck), Shalome Parnell (lbw for a duck), and Fabian Allen (caught at slip for two).

Despite Walton's valiant efforts to mount a comeback, his dismissal at long-on in the 41st over by Leacock dashed the Scorpions' hopes of a dramatic turnaround.

In the earlier stages of the match, half-centuries from Shamarh Brooks and Shai Hope propelled Barbados Pride to a competitive total of 258 for six after they were put in to bat.