– Hemraj, Yadram, Rutherford added for Volcanoes clash
By Akeem Greene
Two-time defending Champions Guyana Jaguars enter their tenth round clash against Windward Island Volcanoes in the of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Digicel Regional Four-Day tournament missing several vital experienced players but Head Coach Esuan Crandon is contending that though the players absent will be missed it gives an opportunity for younger players to make a name for themselves.
Crandon in speaking to Guyana Times Sport on Thursday at the Guyana National Stadium said, “We were able to get three days practice in and the guys are in good shape’ we are missing five players so we recognise the senior guys have to take a bit more responsibility in batting and obviously the young guys who are coming in they have to play their role.”
He added, “We lost some good players but it is a good opportunity for the others to showcase their talent but we still have to play good cricket with whatever eleven we put on the park and the young guys we selected are capable of doing that.”
The players out from the last match against the Barbados Pride are Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who is playing for Lancashire in England’s Division One County Championship, Shimron Hetmyer, Vishaul Singh and Raymon Reifer, who have are a part of the President’s XI set to take on the touring Pakistan in a three-day match in Jamaica. Keon Joseph who missed the Jaguars’ last two matches through injury is also in Jamaica.
Their absence sees a recall for Steven Jacobs who last played First-class cricket in December 2015 and talented middle-order batsman Chandrapaul Hemraj, who played the last of his five matches in 2014.
The first-timers are youthful all-rounders Bhaskar Yadram and Sherfene Rutherford while Keemo Paul returns from a hand injury.
The Jaguars’ batting this year has been a cause of concern since last season’s highest run-scorer Leon Johnson has not best of his usual form only accumulating 281 runs in eight matches but at Thursday’s practice the West Indies left-hander was hard at work ironing out any issues with his technique given the fact that the team’s current leading run-getter Chanderpaul (662 runs) and Hetmyer (496) are absent.
Crandon, a former First-class all-rounder explained that the batters have not been out-of form but were reckless with their injudicious shots.
“It is not that they are short of form, they just need to be a bit more discipline and responsible and it will make it easy for the other guys coming and it will help the team a lot.”
The Volcanoes enter this clash on the back of a thumping eight-wicket win over Jamaica at Sabina Park; in that match they had bundled out the home side for paltry 56 in the first innings with seamers Delron Johnson (4-26) and Kyle Mayers (6-29) doing the damage. As such the coach is wary the threat the Islanders may pose to the locals. “They have a good team, they will be confident, with their win; we are losing players and they will want to capitalize on that and they have been bowling well and it will be a good challenge for us to go and play good and consistent cricket,” Crandon stated.
Guyana Jaguars Head Coach, Esuan Crandon giving All-rounder Keemo Paul some batting tips during the team’s practice at Providence on Thursday
A win for the Jaguars will practically seal their bid for a three-peat in titles since they are on 109.8 points, 4.6 ahead of Barbados Pride who have already played nine matches. Guyana Jaguars Squad: Assad Fudadin, Rajendra Chandrika, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Leon Johnson (Captain), Bhaskar Yadram, Keemo Paul, Anthony Bramble, Romario Shepherd, Veerasammy Permaul (Vice Captain), Gudakesh Motie, Clinton Pestano, Steven Jacobs, Sherfane Rutherford. The first ball on Saturday is at 10:30h.
