Chanderpaul: Jaguars batsmen must dig deep for better conversion rate

By Brandon Corlette

With the exception of Anthony Bramble, none of the Guyana Jaguars batsmen had batting averages in the 2018/19 Regional 4-Day season to brag about.
As the 2020 season looms, with five-time defending champions Jaguars departing today, January 6, to play the Leeward Islands in Antigua from January 9, the Jaguars will be aiming to chalk up consistent scores.

The opening duo of Chandrapaul Hemraj and Tagenarine Chanderpaul spoke to Guyana Times Sport, making mention of batsmen in the team scoring runs while digging deep and converting those starts.
“I think (that) when batsmen get a fifty, they must dig in and try to get a big score,” the young Chanderpaul noted. The left-hander had played in all ten matches in the 2018/19 season, and had scored 542 runs at an average of 33.87. His aggregate was the second highest by a Jaguars batsman, behind Bramble’s 580 runs.
With the West Indies Test openers’ spot not yet fully cemented, Chanderpaul said he would be aiming to press for selection. “(I am) just trying to take it one game at a time, get some good scores in, and see what happens,” he explained.

His opening partner Hemraj, who is fresh from a century in the practice match, said it was good to spend valuable time at the crease. “My main focus is getting runs for Jaguars, and of course I want to make it back into the West Indies team,” Hemraj explained.
He added that he and his opening partner Chanderpaul will be aiming to lay a good platform for Jaguars in the big 4-Day season.
Speaking on the conversion rate, Hemraj said he is hoping that his fellow Jaguars batsmen, himself included, would rectify the matter and convert their starts at better rates.

Reflection of Jaguars batting in 2018/19
Bramble has been the definition of consistency. He scored two of the four centuries made by a Jaguars batsman in the last 4-Day season at a stunning average of 52.72.

Captain Leon Johnson has unfortunately been among the poorest of converters in 4-Day cricket. This classy left-hander who warmed up in fine style with a century has played 109 First-class matches and has scored five centuries and 37 fifties. In the 2018/19 season, he scored 480 runs at an average of 32, including 4 half-centuries.
His left-handed partner Vishaul Singh has also had difficulty in converting.
From 69 First-class matches, Singh has recorded eight centuries and 15 fifties, batting in 119 innings. His 2018/19 season saw him score 366 runs at an average of 28.15.
Hemraj had racked up 350 runs in his six matches in 2018/19, scoring one century and one half-century.
As Guyana Jaguars seek a sixth consecutive title, the batsmen must simply score more centuries. In the last 4-Day season, 20 half-centuries were scored by the Jaguars, along with the 4 conversions mentioned earlier. Giving the class and temperament in the team, Jaguars are capable of rectifying the conversion issue.
However, the last 4-Day season saw Jaguars scoring the highest team total — 548 against a star-studded Barbados Pride. This is evidence of a well capable unit having the ability to dominate teams with the bat.
The bowling has always been impressive over the past seasons, with the veteran spin twins Devandra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul; along with quicks Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul, Clinton Pestano and Keon Joseph, and all-rounders Raymon Reifer and Chris Barnwell.