Jermaine Blackwood’s unbeaten century highlights rain-affected opening day of Regional Four-Day Championship

A gritty, unbeaten century from Jermaine Blackwood was the standout performance on the rain-affected opening day of the Regional Four-Day Championship first-round encounter between the Jamaica Scorpions and Windward Islands Volcanoes at Arnos Vale in St. Vincent.

Batting at number four, Blackwood’s composed 101* was the first century of the tournament, guiding the Scorpions to 291 for 7 at stumps despite the weather interruptions.

Blackwood, who struck 9 boundaries in his knock, provided a solid anchor for the Scorpions after they were inserted to bat following the toss. The 29-year-old’s resilience helped the team recover from a tricky position after early wickets to take a position of strength heading into day two.

Earlier, captain John Campbell was in fine form, hitting 9 fours and 2 sixes on his way to a 79 from 91 balls. He shared a first-wicket partnership of 63 with Carlos Brown, who contributed 12 before falling. However, the Scorpions’ momentum slowed when play was halted with the team at 163 for 4, with the rain affecting the afternoon session.

Alongside Blackwood, Daniel Beckford (36), Kirk McKenzie (1), and Brad Barnes (6) were dismissed, while Javelle Glenn also made 6 before play was stopped for the day. Jeavor Royal (5*) remains unbeaten at the crease.

The Volcanoes were led by Darel Cyrus’ 2 for 26 while Ryan John, Gilon Tyson, Shadrack Descarte and Kenneth Dember all chipped in with a wicket each.

In other matches across the tournament, the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, batting first against the West Indies Academy at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, posted a respectable total of 290 for 6. Jahmar Hamilton led the way with an unbeaten 67, having shared in a 110-run fifth-wicket partnership with Karima Gore (59), who was dismissed just before stumps.

Meanwhile, at the Guyana National Stadium, the Barbados Pride set a challenging total of 346 after electing to bat against defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles. Matthew Forde (82), Jonathan Drakes (70), and Zachary McCaskie (64) all contributed half-centuries. Richie Looknauth was the standout bowler for the Harpy Eagles, taking 4 for 69, and the team will look to respond on Day 2.

At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, the home team, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, ended the day at 171 for 2 against the Combined Campuses and Colleges. Openers Cephas Cooper (80) and Vikash Mohan (66) put on a solid 139-run partnership for the first wicket, but rain had earlier interrupted play, halting their progress.

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