Jamaica Scorpions opening batsman Kirk McKenzie said his team is buoyed by their sensational opening round victory against the Barbados Pride in the West Indies Championship and is eagerly looking forward to the start of their second match.
McKenzie played a crucial role in the Scorpion’s seven-wicket win, scoring an unbeaten 135 to guide them to 324 for three in their second innings at Chedwin Park in St Catherine.
Together with skipper John Campbell, who made 126, they added 242 runs for the first wicket while scoring at almost five runs an over to give the home side the speedy start required.
Speaking after his superb innings, McKenzie said while the expect the Pride to respond fiercely in their second-round match which switches to Sabina Park on Sunday, he maintained that the Scorpions were fully prepared.
“We know it’s going to be a very tough three games. We’re up for the challenge, so let’s see what the other two games bring for us,” McKenzie said.
Speaking on the team’s performance, he said they never ruled out trying to win the match despite being set 300 plus runs to win in less than a day’s play.
“We came so close to first innings [advantage] and we lost it, so the morale was a bit down, but as a group we kept it together and said, ‘it’s not over until it’s over’. This win ranks really high — there’s a bit of a rivalry between us and Barbados.
“The conversations we had were to bat normally until tea and then make a decision [at the break]. The captain led the charge after tea and we just kept the momentum,” McKenzie recalled.
“I think it was an even pitch — a lot for the batsmen and a lot for the bowlers. It was on the lower side, the slower side, but I think both teams batted really well on the pitch. It wasn’t a really hard pitch [to play on], but it wasn’t an easy pitch at the same time.” (CMC)
