Mansingh hungry for Scorpions success
After a decent start to his Jamaica Scorpions career, all-rounder Abhijai Mansingh says he wants to be even more consistent with his performances and help the team climb the regional four-day tournament points table.
The Scorpions, who are set to take on Windward Islands Volcanoes in the third-round match at Guyana National Stadium starting Wednesday, are last in the six-team competition with 10 points.
The Volcanoes are fourth with 19.4 points, behind Guyana Harpy Eagles (28.6), title-holders Barbados Pride (23), and Trinidad & Tobago Red Force (20.6). Leeward Islands Hurricanes, who have 17.4 points, are fifth.
Mansingh, a compact, right-handed batsman and crafty wrist spinner, has been an outstanding player for the Scorpions with bat and ball. He was a major reason the Jamaica franchise escaped with a draw against the Hurricanes in the first round, scoring a half-century in either innings and taking five wickets in the match.
He was less influential in the second-round loss to the Pride, a reminder of the competitive nature of first class cricket.
“I think in both batting and bowling departments I need to work on my consistency. I also have to try to get to landmarks like scoring hundreds and taking five-wicket hauls,” he told the Jamaica Observer.
“So far it’s just been half-centuries and three-wicket hauls [in an innings] so I have to take it to that next level. I have to stick to my processes for longer and hopefully the end product will change,” the all-rounder said.
He explained that more “intensity and focus” when batting, and “more variation” when bowling are two key aspects.
But despite the greater responsibility on his shoulders given his start to the season, he shrugged off any suggestion of pressure.
“In my head there’s really no expectation. I know the process I have and I just want to just follow the process. I just want to do the best to help the team win some games,” Mansingh said.
In other matches to start Wednesday, the Red Force welcome the Harpy Eagles to Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad, and the Hurricanes face the Pride at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, also Trinidad.
Squads: Scorpions – Paul Palmer (captain), Leroy Lugg, Kirk McKenzie, Tevin Gilzene, Nkrumah Bonner, Abhijai Mansingh, Aldaine Thomas, Jamie Merchant, Patrick Harty, Nicholson Gordon, Marquino Mindley, Ojay Shields, Derval Green
Volcanoes – Alick Athanaze (captain), Sunil Ambris, Teddy Bishop, Kenneth Dember, Larry Edward, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Johan Jeremiah, Ryan John, Shermon Lewis, Preston McSween, Jerlani Robinson, Tevyn Walcott