Home Sports Cornwall’s 6-for restrict Jaguars to 269 all out on drama-filled day...
Hurricanes 32-1 at stumps, require 259 more on final day
By Brandon Corlette
The penultimate day of the epic encounter between Guyana Jaguars and Leeward Islands Hurricanes was an eventful one at Providence. In the fifth round match between hosts Guyana Jaguars and the Hurricanes, the Jaguars were bowled out for 269 runs on day three, posting a target of 291 runs for Hurricanes.
The visitors were 32-1 at stumps, requiring another 259 runs to win. Rahkeem Cornwall was once more the star of the day, grabbing his 15th five wicket haul and his second 10th wicket match haul.
After the lunch interval on day 3, play was suspended due to the illness of the Leewards Islands Hurricanes players. It seems as if the players encountered stomach issues as they failed to eat food of the highest standard. The matched resumed at 14:17h with the Hurricanes assistant/coach and Head coach taking the field as the players were still recovering.
Rain was out of sight at Providence; Jaguars resumed the day on 76-2, with Tagenarine Chanderpaul on 15 and Christopher Barnwell yet to get off the mark. Guyana Jaguars opened their scoring account when Barnwell stroked one into the leg side for four off fast-bowler Jeremiah Louis. Barnwell and Chanderpaul were building a partnership until leg-spinner Damion Jacobs was introduced, he removed Barnwell.
The right-handed Barnwell, who scored 58 in the first innings, attempted to cut a delivery that was close to the stumps and was out caught by wicket-keeper Jaison Peters for 12 from 32 balls, inclusive of one boundary.
Jaguars were reduced to 103-3 after 42.1 overs when Anthony Bramble came at number five. Chanderpaul stroked Jacobs through the covers as he looked to score runs on day 3, but Rahkeem Cornwall was causing the solid batsman trouble. Chanderpaul eventually ended his 175-ball knock of 40 when he played back to a Cornwall skidder and was given out leg before.
Hurricanes spinners kept taking wickets after Chanderpaul departed with the score on 129-4 in 51.5 overs. Anthony Bramble and Sherfane Rutherford were task to rebuild. Rutherford cut Jacobs past the point fielder for a boundary, but five balls later the Jaguars lead stretched to 157 runs. Bramble departed when Cornwall continued his marathon spell from the Southern end at Providence.
Bramble was caught at the crease, playing back to a Cornwall ball that he should have been in front. He was adjudged leg before after scoring 18 from 27 balls, including two boundaries. Cornwall was on a role, as the Hurricanes, picking up three wickets in the morning session. The Hurricanes continued to chip away at Jaguars wickets; Sherfane Rutherford was Jacobs’s next victim.
Rutherford, who was trapped in front, attempted to play the ball into the leg side, but the ball was full, hitting middle and leg stumps. The IPL-bound player Rutherford scored four from six balls, including a boundary. Hurricanes were all over Jaguars with the score on 138-6 after 54.2 overs, when Romario Shepherd and Keemo Paul came to the crease.
Shepherd was positive in his stroke-play, sweeping the leg-spinner with ease and driving the ball with exquisite timing along the ground. Paul was playing the supporting role to the big Berbician as they stretched the lead over 200 runs. After the duo reached the 50-run partnership, lunch was swiftly approaching and Hurricanes were in need to break the Shepherd-Paul partnership.
On the stroke of lunch, right arm fast bowler Sheno Berridge bowled Paul for 22 from 43 balls including two fours. It was the final ball bowled at 11:30h when Paul attempted to turn a Berridge-ball into the leg side and was bowled around his legs. Hurricanes won the first session on day 3, picking up five Jaguars wickets, as they headed into the interval expecting the lunch to taste better. Jaguars were 195-7 at lunch, with a lead of 217 runs; Shepherd was unbeaten on 33 from 58 balls, including five fours.
Play was then suspended post the lunch interval, with Leeward Islands Hurricanes players reported sick. After the players received treatment from the medical personnel, Jaguars players and Norman “Juice Man”, play resumed at 14:17h after the delay.
Pestano and Shepherd made their way to bat, with Hurricanes assistant coach/manager taking the field as one or the players were still taking treatment.
Cornwall continued from the southern end, as he removed Shepherd for 39 from 75 balls; with the score on 209-8 after 81.4 overs. Shepherd was out caught behind by Peters off the bowling of Cornwall, as the big off-spinner grabbed a five-wicket haul. Pestano continued to flourish, dominating the partnership with Permaul.
Pestano smoked sixes with ease and grace, as the Berbician player who originated from Corriverton put on a show for the 100+ supporters at Providence. He was defeated by the impressive Cornwall, trapped in front for a sparkling 46 from 87 balls, including four sixes and one four, after batting for 75 minutes. Pestano departed with the score on 268-9 in 97.4 overs. The 59-run partnership between Permaul and Pestano was broken when the latter fell.
Devandra Bishoo was the final batsman in. He dragged a Jeremiah Louis delivery on to his stumps and was out for a duck. Permaul was left stranded on 15 from 47 balls with one boundary to his name.
Jaguars were dismissed for 269 in 98.3 overs, setting the Hurricanes a target of 291 runs. Rahkeem Cornwall was the best bowler on show with 6-70 from 39 impressive overs, inclusive of 15 maidens. Damion Jacobs had 2-90 while Louis and Berridge had one wicket each.
Hurricanes openers Montcin Hodge and Kieran Powell made their way to bat in pursuit of a target of 291. Clinton Pestano and Keemo Paul began proceedings for the Jaguars. Powell was the first dismissed when he was adjudged leg before in what looked to be a controversial dismissal.
Powell scored 7 from 21 balls, hitting one four, but was trapped in front by a lively Paul with the score on 16-1 after four overs. Hodge was solid in his stroke-play, while Carty was equal to the task after being dropped in the 11th over by Bramble off the bowling of Shepherd.
The final day is set for a breathtaking finish. Jaguars require nine wickets to win, while Hurricanes need 259 runs. Hodge is unbeaten on 17 from 45 while Carty is on three. Both Hurricanes batsmen at the crease are centurions this season. The fourth and final day will commence at 9:00h local time at the National Stadium Providence.
