A sensational spell of seam bowling from rookie Guyana Jaguars all-rounder, Keemo Paul broke the back of the Windward Islands Volcanoes batting before top order batsman Assad Fudadin compiled a stroke-filled century to put the host in the driver seat at stumps on day one of the tenth round clash in the Cricket West Indies Professional Cricket League Digicel Regional Four Day Tournament on Saturday at Providence.
Fudadin celebrates reaching his sixth First Class century on Saturday
The Volcanoes’ new captain, Sunil Ambris called correctly but batting first backfired when Devon Smith was sent back by Romario Shepherd’s second ball of the day before the visitors opened their account. It went downhill from there with Shepherd striking in his next over when Tyrone Theophile was caught behind at 3-2.
Keemo Paul who was bowling a nagging line from the players pavilion end then trapped Jerlani Robinson in front for his first victim. Ambris then began to flow with a few shots alongside Andre Fletcher but Paul would hit back to send both batsmen back in the hut with just 19 on the board and the Volcanoes steering down the barrel.
With lunch approaching, there was an interruption for 11 minutes due to a drizzle at 11:40h and at the Jaguars were the happier team at the interval with the score at 78/7 after 24 overs. Shane Shillingford was on 18 and Larry Edward was on 5.
After the resumption, the lower order only lasted four overs and one ball with Keemo Paul bagging his maiden five-wicket haul in only his second game at this level after his impressive debut in Trinidad in March. Steven Jacobs who is one of five players coming in the team picked up the other wicket to fall while debutant Sherfane Rutherford went wicketless after working up some pace on a placid Providence pitch, not the re-laid track that was used for the recent One Day International Series.
The points leaders then began their reply with Test batsmen, Rajendra Chandrika and Assad Fudadin in overcast conditions. With only 21 points needed from the final two matches for the Jaguars to secure their three-peat the openers batted the opponents out of the game. Tea was taken with the Jaguars just two runs behind with Fudadin on a shot filled 60 and Chandrika on 29. Fudadin took 53 balls to bring up his 22nd FC half century with seven fours and a six off of the expensive Shillingford.
After laying the foundation for a big first innings total with an opening stand of 108, Chandrika was adjudged caught behind before Chandrapaul Hemraj joined forces with his fellow left-hander.
Hemraj, who wa splaying his first match since 2014 had a nervous start especially against left-arm pacer Delorn Johnson who was unlucky not to pick up more wickets. However, Hemraj the Everest Cricket Club player weathered the storm to carve out a maiden half century from 93 balls with five fours and two sixes before giving Shillingford reward for hard work.
Along the way in the 92-run stand Fudadin brought up his sixth century before closing the dominant day on 113 with night watchman Gudakesh Motie on 2.
