Chandrika out, Akshaya in for Pride clash

Talent middle-order batsman Akshaya Persaud will return to the Guyana Jaguars 13-man squad at the expense of Test batsman and opener Rajendra Chandrika for their fifth round clash against Barbados Pride in the 2017/18 Cricket West Indies (CWI) four-day championship starting Thursday at Providence.

Persaud, who is still to make his First-Class debut was picked for the opening round of this year’s regional championship but was subsequently dropped.
The 20 year-old, playing for West Demerara in the Jaguars Franchise three-day league stroked his way to the top of the charts with an aggregate of 523 in seven games with a best of 151 not out. In 2016 massed 418 runs in six matches with a highest of 155.

On the other hand, Chandrika who played the last of his five Tests in 2016 against India has endured a torrid outing with the willow this season.
In his two matches, he has only scored 67 runs, with a top score of 35. More so, his last five First-Class matches yielded just 176 runs at average of 22.
The three-time defending champions with 64.8 points, are atop the points standings ahead of second place Leeward Islands Hurricanes on 44.6.
After their clash against Pride from November 30 to December 3, they have two more home matches against Windward Islands Volcanoes from December 7-10 and a day/night encounter with Leeward Islands Hurricanes from December 14-17.
Squad: Leon Johnson (Captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Vishaul Singh, Anthony Bramble, Keemo Paul, Akshaya Persaud, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie and Keon Joseph.