…as Jaguars begin title defence against Scorpions today
Guyana Jaguars and Jamaica Scorpions will open their campaign in the 2017/2018 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Digicel 4-day tournament at the National Stadium, Providence today with a battle which is set to be extremely intriguing giving the focus will placed on the youth in both squads.
Jaguars have won the last six contests against the Scorpions in the CWI League era (2014-15 onwards) which should increase their level of confidence entering their opening match, but they may have to temper this excitement.
The hosts are without six players that have played key roles in their championship sweep over the last three seasons.
Ageless, veteran former West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul misses the first game due to personal commitments; leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, left-handed opener Shimron Hetymer and left-arm, all-rounder Raymond Reifer are part of the Windies Test side in Zimbabwe; and left-hander Vishaul Singh and fast bowler Keon Joseph are on duty with Windies “A” against Sri Lanka.
Akshaya Persaud is the only uncapped player named in the Leon Johnson-led, 13-member squad, gaining the nod approval following his prolific scoring in the recently-concluded Jaguars Franchise League for West Demerara.
Other youthful prospects such as Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul, Bhaskar Yadram, Romario Shepherd will be required to rise to the occasion.
Johnson, Rajindra Chandrika and wicketkeeper/batsman Anthony Bramble are expected to be at the heart of the batting, vice-captain Veerasammy Permaul and fellow left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie will be the main bowling weapons.
On the opening match, Johnson said: “It’s good to start the season playing the Scorpions at the Guyana National Stadium, where we have had a good record over the last three seasons. It’s a new season and we have a number of inexperienced players, so we are not looking to get ahead of ourselves.”
On missing key players, he said: “The players in the squad with the experience will have to step up and do well, not only in this game, but throughout the competition, but I am looking at it in a positive way – this is an opportunity for the inexperienced players.
On the four-peat, Johnson said: “I can’t say. I can’t say. We would love it to be four out of four. Every team has zero points entering the competition and it depends on how well you play in the competition. Ask me that question again at the halfway stage.
Like their opponents, the Scorpions have been set back with the absence of a number of couple of regular players which will also be a chance to test the depth of their talent.
