Bramble, Joseph, Singh impress on final day

Guyana Jaguars 3-Day Practice match…

Story and Photos by Brandon Corlette

Leon Johnson’s XI completed a five-wicket win in the first of their two 3-Day Practice matches held ahead of the Regional Four-Day tournament slated for January 9, 2020.

Chandrapaul Hemraj was at his fluent best until he was dismissed for 30

Chasing 202 runs for victory, Johnson’s XI batsmen were able to get in good practice, with Anthony Bramble stroking an unbeaten 55, while Vishal Singh and Chandrapaul Hemraj spent some time at the crease and ensured a come-from-behind win.
Adams’ XI resumed the third and final day on 76-3, with a lead of 123 runs. Right-arm speedster Keon Joseph had wicket-taking plans, as Adams’ XI were eventually bowled out for 154 in 39.5 overs, setting Johnson’s XI a target of 202 runs to win.
It was a Joseph-and-Gudakesh Motie show, as the duo shared eight wickets between themselves. The stylish Raymon Perez was the first to bite the dust, failing to add to his overnight score of 40 because he was out stumped off Motie.
Jonathan Foo, who resumed the day on 27, became Joseph’s first wicket of the morning and his third in the innings. Foo added eight runs to his overnight score, and departed for 35 from 55 balls in his innings that spanned an hour.

Keon Joseph

As Johnson’s XI continued to chip away wickets, Motie removed Ricardo Adams for 15, while experienced paceman Joseph picked up his fourth wicket when he sent Anthony Adams back for 16.
What had looked like a promising innings with the bat for Adams’ XI quickly became an ordinary display of batting. Renaldo Ali Mohamed, who looked to take Joseph to the cleaners, hung his bat out and edged one to Johnson at first slip, after scoring a 20-ball 27 which included three fours and one six.

Anthony Bramble on the charge during his aggressive fifty

Joseph continued to hit the pitch, but Nial Smith, who failed to equip himself with a helmet, was hit off a Christopher Barnwell short ball. Barnwell, who favoured the short ball, struck Smith on the shoulder and the ball further hit his head, which forced him to retire for three. Smith was immediately rendered assistance and taken to the hospital.
Motie closed off the innings when he struck Qumar Torrington in front for one. Joseph and Motie were the chief architects of destruction for Johnson’s XI, as Adams’ XI ended on 154 all out in 39.5 overs. Joseph ended with 5-75 in 10 overs, while Motie bagged 3-33 in 12 top overs.
In pursuit of 202 for victory, Johnson’s XI had a solid start from openers Trevon Griffith and Chanderpaul Hemraj. The left-handed duo took the score to 28-0 at the lunch interval, surviving 11 overs. After the lunch interval, Griffith resumed on 10, while Hemraj was on 13.

Vishal Singh missed out on half-century

The duo took the score past the 50-run mark, but Hemraj, who was looking to score, chipped one to short cover off the bowling of off-spinner Foo, ending a 61-run partnership.
Hemraj made 30 from 92 balls after batting for 83 minutes and stroking three fours and one six. One run later, Foo removed Griffith for a 61-ball 26. Griffith had survived for 88 minutes, but was caught behind off a Foo-delivery.
Captain Johnson and Vishal Singh were cautious in their approach. On the stroke of an early tea, Foo picked up his third wicket, trapping the captain in front for 18. Johnson looked good in yet another promising innings. He pulled and drove Ali Mohamed for boundaries. Johnson’s XI reached the tea interval at 92-3, with Singh remaining unbeaten on 11.
Barnwell partnered Singh, and the senior duo came out with more intent. Singh rotated the strike while Barnwell found the ropes with ease and grace. He took on Anthony Adams, hitting him for consecutive boundaries, but the introduction of Ricardo Adams brought about his downfall for 17, since he was bowled with a delivery that kept low.
Bramble came, and looked comfortable accumulating runs at a decent rate. Entering the crease at 126-4, Bramble added 62 runs with a patient Singh. The left-handed Singh had found the fielder at mid-off and departed for 47 from 88 balls, after occupying the crease for 118 minutes.
Bramble ensured Johnson’s XI got the win with his polished unbeaten innings of 55 from 49 balls, which included eight fours. Foo ended with 3-37 in 20 overs, while Ricardo Adams had 2-36 in 6.1 overs.
Jaguars will play their second and final three-day match from January 2-4 at the National Stadium at Providence.