Glenn century leads Scorpions into Super50 final

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

LED BY a sensational maiden List A century by Javelle Glenn, the Jamaica Scorpions powered their way into the final of the CG United Super50 with an impressive 107-run victory over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy yesterday.

Glenn thumped 10 fours and six sixes in an unbeaten 114 from 96 balls and added an incredible 202 runs with Jeavor Royal and Gordon Bryan, respectively, to resuscitate the Scorpions’ innings and get them up to 352 for nine from their 50 overs, the highest total of the tournament.

The Hurricanes were in a good position at the halfway mark but suffered a lower-order collapse to be dismissed for 245 in 35.4 overs.

The Scorpions, who finished last in the 2023 Super50, will face Barbados Pride in Saturday’s final.

But the night belonged to Glenn, who rescued the Scorpions after they had slumped to 138 for seven in the face of accurate spin bowling by Hurricanes captain Rahkeem Cornwall and legspinner Hayden Walsh Jr.

No one would have predicted what would have transpired when Scorpions’ captain John Campbell and Kirk McKenzie were at the crease during a 114-run partnership for the second wicket that had their side cruising at 126 for one in the 21st over.

But, in a stunning turn of events, the Scorpions lost six wickets for a mere 12 runs to put the Hurricanes in complete control.

Walsh Jr started the slide when he dismissed Campbell for 77 from 69 balls and, six runs later, Cornwall accounted for the wicket of McKenzie for 48.

Jermaine Blackwood was then trapped lbw by Walsh Jr and Cornwall snagged the wicket of Brad Barnes, and then Romaine Morris and Peat Salmon with successive deliveries.

However, Glenn joined forces with Royal, who smashed 73 from just 42 balls, inclusive of six sixes and six fours, and the two added 124 runs to hold off the Hurricanes.

After Royal was dismissed by Walsh Jr to leave the score 262 for eight in the 41st over, Glenn teamed up with Bryan, who scored 11, to add a further 78 runs in eight overs to carry the Scorpions past the 300-run mark.

Glenn eventually brought up his century by driving Oshane Thomas through the onside for a single, immediately falling to his knees and looking to the sky, as he received thunderous applause from his teammates in the dugout.

Cornwall took 4-67 while Walsh Jr ended with 3-78.

Despite losing several early wickets, the Hurricanes were interestingly poised at 240 for six in the 34th over, with Jahmar Hamilton and Walsh Jr at the crease in a 63-run stand that frustrated the Scorpions.

Kofi James had earlier scored 79 from 64 balls, and Jewel Andrew 40 from 20, but their dismissals saw the Hurricanes lose three wickets for 49 runs to fall to 177 for six.

They were given hope with Hamilton and Walsh Jr’s partnership, which also kept them above the required run rate of just over seven runs an over.

But pacer Marquino Mindley grabbed the last four wickets for the addition of just five runs to complete the victory.

Mindley bowled both Hamilton for 58 from 47 balls to end the partnership, and Walsh Jr for 31 to leave the Hurricanes 241 for eight.

He then had Daniel Doram caught behind for one before ending the match in style by sending Oshane Thomas’ off-stump cartwheeling.

Mindley finished with 4-46 from 8.4 overs, while Royal and Brad Barnes both took two wickets.