‘2 centuries by our batsmen is simply poor,’ says Coach Crandon

CWI/PCL Regional 4-Day Tournament…

By Brandon Corlette

Cricket is regarded as a game of glorious uncertainties; no team will, on every occasion, dominate the opposition or even win the game. This season of the CWI PCL 4-Day Tournament has regrettably been “one of those days” for five-time defending champions Guyana Jaguars, who were in unfamiliar territory on the points table throughout the season. After eight rounds, the Jaguars have recorded just three wins, and stand at joint third on the points’ table with the Jamaica Scorpions, who also have 91.8 points.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Jaguars’ most successful Head Coach, Esuan Crandon, it was revealed to this publication that the batting performance has not been this team’s best.
“I am disappointed with the return by our batters, most are senior guys. To only score two centuries as a team is really poor,” Crandon decried, as he highlighted that most of the guys had good starts but were not able to convert them into hundreds.
“As champion team, you capitalize on those opportunities; and, for some reason, we did not do it this season. It’s a reflection of where we are on the table, we didn’t play the style of cricket we should have played,” Crandon lamented.
He, however, gave due credit to table leaders Barbados Pride, who utilized their fast bowlers well, while their batsmen put up decent totals.
It’s been a season of mixed fortunes for the Jaguars, with more negatives than positives emerging. Looking on the brighter side, Veerasammy Permaul’s 50 wickets in eight rounds has been the big plus.

“Permaul has been an outstanding performer for the team, and his contribution would have had a great impact,” Crandon added.
Another positive for the Jaguars has been the advent of Nial Smith, who impressed with his pace in the first few games. Smith has taken 20 wickets, the second-highest after Permaul for the Jaguars this season. Crandon is hoping that the Jaguars will be able to work with Smith and improve his skills and attributes as a fast bowler.

“Our bowlers were able to take 20 wickets on most occasions, but it is evident that we missed some of the guys who performed well over the years,” he declared.
Not making excuses, Crandon and his Jaguars have missed the services of Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul and Clinton Pestano, who had done well in past seasons.
Crandon regards Keon Joseph as an experienced bowler. “He looked like himself, but he was unlucky not to get more wickets,” Crandon has said.
The Jaguars’ Head Coach noted that Raymon Reifer has not performed as well as he had done in the past few seasons.
Speaking on the emergence of Kevin Sinclair, Crandon highlighted that he has room for improvement, although the off-spinner had picked up crucial wickets from time to time.

In an overall assessment of the season thus far, Crandon posited that the Jaguars have proverbially shot themselves in the leg.
“We put down some vital catches, (and) we were not able to win some key moments in the game and capitalize,” he said.
Although the Jaguars had ‘covered the hard yards of work’, Crandon disclosed that perhaps the guys did not stay focused and in the game.
Jaguars leading run-getter this season is captain Leon Johnson, who has 472 runs with a high score of 189* and an average of 36.30.
Christopher Barnwell, with 435 runs, is both the only other man to cross the 400-run mark and as well to score another century for the team. In addition to the two centuries scored, 15 half-centuries were scored by the Jaguars this season.
“It’s now about how the Jaguars reflect on their performances, and work on their game moving forward,” Crandon concluded.