― all to play for in Lower Corentyne-West Demerara clash
Today marks the start of the penultimate round of the inaugural Jaguars Franchise League and a win from here for the Lower Corentyne will see them emerge as champions of the League.
However, they will face second placed team West Demerara at the Tuschen Ground and it is expected to be the most important match in this round.
Lower Corentyne has won all of their matches so far while West Demerara lost their opening match to East Coast but rebounded since. The latter was also hampered by rain which only allowed a day’s play in their fourth round fixture at the said venue against Upper Corentyne.
Meanwhile the leaders have dominated in all aspects of their game, therefore deep into the tournament are expecte
Jonathan FooShivnarine ChanderpaulTagenarine Chanderpaul
d to be a confident unit. It would take a herculean effort to dismantle them.
Upper Corentyne so far came the closest to winnings against Lower Corentyne after they won first innings points early on the second morning of their third round clash. Prior and after that match no other team stood a chance against Lower Corentyne.
Their batting department is so efficient that there bowlers have little or no problem in defending totals. And since Veerasammy Permaul departed, Kassim Khan has taken over the lead with the ball. The Lower Corentyne team could be deemed as the lone complete team in the tournament. It consists of sufficient batting, good bowling and perfect execution on match days.
Players like Jonathan Foo, Permaul, Khan, Gajanand Singh, Devon Clements, Surujnarine Kandasammy and recently Seon Hetmyer have all thrown their efforts to provide substance to their team.
On the other hand, West Demerara’s performance in this tournament has been outstanding, especially after losing their first match. Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Ashkaya Persaud, Travis Persaud, Rishi Looknauth and most consistently Romario Shepherd have all contributed to their team’s success.
If West Demerara wins this match and East Coast win against Essequibo then closer the challenge will be in the final round as it will head to a photo finish among Lower Corentyne, East Coast and West Demerara, the only teams in contention to win the League.
In the other clashes, at Imam Bacchus Ground in Essequibo, Essequibo will host East Coast. Upper Demerara/ East Bank will take on Upper Corentyne at Everest Cricket Club Ground while the West Berbice will play Georgetown at the Young Warriors ground in Cumberland.
Essequibo and East Coast clash is also expected to be keenly contested. East Coast like Lower Corentyne has not lost a game and will be aiming to make the final round an interested one. However, with the likes of former West Indies player, Shivnarine Chanderpaul in their unit, a strengthened Essequibo team have a better chance to defeat their opponent.
Meanwhile, the lone match in the city will feature fourth placed and favourites against Upper Demerara/ East Bank and that match too should provide some amount of competition as both teams will aim to finish well.
Finally, pride is at stake for Georgetown, who is yet to win a game as they prepare for an interesting clash against West Berbice. The city team will once again be dependent on top player Christopher Barnwell to dominate with the bat while much would be expected from Robin Bacchus, Dexter Solomon and former West Indies youth player Kwame Crosse.
West Berbice team should be optimistic about their chances after Kyron Fraser batting at number 10 stroked a spectacular century last round against Upper Demerara/ East Bank.
All four matches are expected to be competitive as teams seek to get it right before the end.
The following is the point standing so far; Lower Corentyne 86.1, West Demerara 64.6, East Coast 59.3, Upper Corentyne 34.8, Essequibo 30.5, West Berbice 29.5, Upper Demerara/ East Bank 25.1 and Georgetown 24.4.
