Unbeaten Jaguars looking to settle score with Hurricanes

CWI/Digicel Regional 4-Day Championships…

– Defending champions facing selection dilemma

After a typically customary start to their Cricket West Indies (CWI)/Digicel Regional 4-Day tournament, three-time defending champs, the unbeaten Guyana Jaguars will be aiming to overcome a psychological hurdle when they tackle the Leewards Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes are responsible for handing the champs their only two defeats during the 2016/17 season and fast-forward to 2017, the Jaguars will now prepare to wrestle their demons at the same venue, the Warner Park Ground in St Kitts; where they lost last year.
In St. Kitts, the Hurricanes created history by successfully chasing down 369 to

win by four wickets when Leon Johnson declared on 233 for 8 with four sessions remaining in the game. In the return fixture at Providence, the Jaguars failed to past 200 runs in either of their innings and were thumped by 10 wickets.
In those matches, West Indies ‘A’ players Rahkeem Cornwall was the thorn in the flesh of the Jaguars bagging 17 wickets from the two encounters while Montcin Hodge scored a match-winning century in the run chase.
Both sides have gotten off to a great start with Jaguars beating the Scorpions in round one and the Volcanoes in round two as they enter the third round with 40.4 points.
Leewards on the other hand had mixed fortunes as they drew their opening game against the Volcanoes but rebounded nicely against the Barbados Pride who they annihilated by an innings and four runs in round two, to accumulate 30.6 points.
On paper, both sides have played well to date, especially the defending champs who are still missing a few key players. Leewards are also hoping that a few of last season’s match-winners; Cornwall, Jahmar Hamilton and Hodge who were apart of the Windies “A” team will return for round three.
From a bowling perspective, both team look evenly poised for round three with Leewards having the edge in the pace department with seasoned pacer Mervin Matthew, ex-West Indies speedster Gavin Tonge fresh off a match-winning 6-fer

and Jeremiah Louis who scored 62 and snatched 9 wickets in the last round.
Jaguars’ pace attack will be led by Joseph with support coming from the in-form pair of all-rounders; Keemo Paul and Sherfane Rutherford who have been among the wickets since the competition commenced. With well over 400 First Class wickets and 15 to his name thus far this season, left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and his younger partner Gudakesh Motie will be called upon to do the bulk of the work in the spin department.
The visitors will be facing a bit of a selection problem with veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul set to return to the side. Chanderpaul’s inclusion will likely result in a batsman likely being dropped in order to facilitate the return of the 43 year-old.
Players who are likely to face the axe could be Chanderpaul’s own son and opener Tagenarine who has managed just 59 runs from four innings with a highest score of 33 or his partner at the top of the order Rajindra Chandrika who also had a poor start with just 67 runs coming from his four innings.
Meanwhile, Coach Esuan Crandon said the Jaguars will not be underestimating the Hurricanes but rather they are looking to make the most of their unbeaten start while settling a score with their third round opponents. Jaguars Head Coach also said that he was fully backing his senior players and those who have not hit full form yet, to come good as the competition progresses.
Leewards Coach Winston Benjamin on the other hand said he wanted more consistency form his boys, despite their shock win over the Pride. The ex-West Indies player believed that the team can fully unlock their potential once they execute their plans better.
Teams; Hurricanes from: Rahkeem Cornwall (captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Keacy Carty, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Chesney Hughes, Jeremiah Louis, Mervin Matthew, Gavin Tonge, Akeem Saunders, Stanny Simon, Devon Thomas and Terrence Warde.
Jaguars from: Leon Johnson (captain), Anthony Bramble, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rajendra Chandrika, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Keon Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Veerasammy Permaul, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd and Vishaul Singh.
While the on field Umpires are Carl Tuckett and Christopher Taylor with Stewart Rawlins as the Match Referee and Bernard Joseph the Reserved Umpire.
The action will begin at 10:00h today at the Warner Park Ground, St Kitts.