Mansingh continues to impress

Jamaica Scorpions all-rounder Abhijai Mansingh continues to impress in the ongoing West Indies Championship match against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes following day three action at the Coolidge Ground in Antigua and Barbuda.

The right-handed Melbourne CC player followed up his three wickets in the first innings with a polished debut half-century of 56, as the Jamaica Scorpions, replying to 260, made 234.

Mansingh then worked his magic with the ball by picking up two-second innings wickets, as the Hurricanes enter today’s final day on 198 for seven, that is a lead of 224 runs with three wickets in hand.

Resuming day three on 186 for six, the Scorpions lost Gordon Bryan in the very first over of the day, bowled by Rahkeem Cornwall for nought, with Mansingh at the other end on 34.

The right-hander patiently added 24 runs with Marquino Mindley (19) for the eighth wicket to get the Jamaicans over the 200 mark, but wickets kept falling before Mansingh brought up his half-century with last man Patrick Harty.

The debutant faced 176 balls and hit seven fours before he was the last wicket to fall, leg before wicket to Shenno Berridge.

Off-spinner Cornwall was the pick of the bowlers for the Leewards bagging five wickets for 54 runs with Berridge and Colin Archibald claiming two wickets each.

With a 26-run lead, the Hurricanes started their second innings positively, putting on 55 runs for the first wicket before Montcin Hodge, on 31, fell to off-spinner Jamie Merchant.

Eleven runs later, opener Kieran Powell also fell to Merchant for 28. The Leewards would continue to lose wickets steadily towards the close but a defiant knock of 56 not out from Cornwall ensured the lead kept increasing.

Hayden Walsh Jr, 13 not out, will resume today’s final day with Cornwall, as Merchant, Patrick Harty and Mansingh have so far picked up two wickets each.

Over at North Sound, Guyana Harpy Eagles have so far put in a dismal second innings batting display against the Barbados Pride, closing the third day on 91 for eight, which is a lead of 224 runs.

Seamers Keon Harding and Akeem Jordan have done the brunt of the damage so far, picking up three wickets each.

Earlier, the Pride replying to 371, made 220 for nine with Shamarh Brooks getting 51 and Shemar Springer 35 not out. Veerasammy Permaul bagged four wickets for 53 runs with Kevin Sinclair picking up three wickets for 65 runs. Shamar Joseph took two wickets for 33 runs.

Over in Grenada, the match between the hosts Windward Islands Volcanoes and the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force ended in a draw.

Scores: Volcanoes 243 (Tevyn Walcott 87 not out, Sunil Ambris 55, Alick Athanaze 41; Bryan Charles 4-46, Terrance Hinds 4-72) and 425 for five declared. (Kimani Melius 192, Kavem Hodge 80, Sunil Ambris 55 not out, Alick Athanaze 51; Bryan Charles 2-92)

Red Force 315 (Amir Jangoo 86, Tion Webster 79, Terrance Hinds 52; Ryan John 5-18) and 225 for seven (Jason Mohammed 79 not out, Tion Webster 58; Ryan John 3-27).