Scorpions going back to the drawing board, says Haynes

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Following a disappointing showing in the 2026 West Indies Championship, head coach of the Jamaica Scorpions Robert Haynes has admitted that the team needs to improve in several areas if they are to challenge for the title.

The Scorpions were dumped out of the tournament following an innings and 11 run defeat to the Barbados Pride in the final match of their three-game series last month.

It was a tough loss for the Scorpions, who only needed to avoid a heavy defeat in that match to advance to the semifinals, having won the opener against the Pride by seven wickets and battled to a draw in the second match.

Two of the team’s most outstanding players were captain John Campbell, who led the Scorpions’ batting with 334 runs in six innings, along with fellow left-hander and opening partner Kirk McKenzie, who notched two centuries in his tally of 323 runs.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Hayne said while he had seen some improvements, the team was still not yet where it needed to be.

“At the end of the day we have to get back to the drawing board and make sure that we get things right. There’s a lot more cricket to play; this is still a pretty young squad — the average age is about 26.

“I think the guys have to get some credit — they have been working hard and we’re seeing some better cricket. We still have things to work on because the mental part of it in terms of reading the game and taking charge [at the right time] was lacking,” Haynes said.

CMC