Getting rid of stonewall ‘Shiv’ crucial says Hurricanes coach

… Jaguars seeking improved fortunes against new nemesis

By Akeem Greene

Leeward Islands Hurricanes Head Coach Winston Benjamin strongly believes that seeing the back of veteran Guyana Jaguars batsman Shivanrine Chanderpaul will be critical, if they are to upstage the three-time defending champions in their own back yard.
“We need to get rid of Shiv early. He has been the stonewall in our path in the last game. He made the difference; if we can get him early we can put Guyana under some pressure. That being said, with cricket the way it is, even though we may get Shiv early, someone else can stand up,” Benjamin stated on the eve of today’s day/night seventh round clash of the Cricket West Indies/ Digicel Four-day Championship at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Hurricanes are the only side to defeat the champions twice over the four years and they were on the cusp of doing it again this year but was the heroics of Chanderpaul with a characteristic 109 in the second innings saved his side from an embarrassing innings defeat at Warner Park following on. In the first innings, Vishaul Singh made 97 not out when the Jaguars were reeling at 57 for 5 and 131 for 9 before they were bowled out for 206 replying to the Hurricanes first innings 412 for 9 declared.
Though the recent history between the two sides, will be one to marvel at for Hurricanes, Benjamin a former menacing West Indies fast bowler says his team will remain humble as cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties.
“You cannot dwell on that, you had some good games against Guyana but we won’t dwell on that since we have to now perform on the day but will be boosted by the fact that we have played well against them before.”
Despite Jaguars’ trump card left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul leading the bowling charts with 33 wickets, the coach stressed that they will not place much emphasis on his potential impact. Apart from the spinner, young medium-pacer Keemo Paul has been a shining light for Jaguars with the ball with 23 wickets.
On the individual aspect, talented Devon Thomas scored a high-tempo 103 against Barbados Pride in his last in his last innings which earned a draw for Hurricanes. The coach is hopeful Thomas along with skipper Rahkeem Cornwall can continue their good form.
Apart from Thomas who is their second leading run-scorer with 290 runs, opener Montcin Hodge has scored 390 runs at average of 50. With ball, the seam of the exuberant pacer Jeremiah Louis with 27 wickets and Cornwall’s off-spin which took 19 wickets have done main damage for the islanders.
Though, they have found success against the champs, it still has been an in-different performance by the visitors this season, winning only once, losing twice and drawing thrice. Benjamin’s point of view is the team is still adjusting to the new management.
“We have a different coaching staff who brings a different mentality and the players are coming into something new. It will take some time and it won’t happen overnight but once they stick to what is being taught they should be an emerging force in regional cricket.”
The home side will certainly have to enter this contest with caution especially after their historic tie with Windward Islands Volcanoes in the previous round which ended on Sunday at Providence.
The pitch for today’s encounter is the same that was used when the Jaguars beat Barbados Pride by eight wickets. In the match, the home team’s seamers picked up 18 of the 20 wickets which will also excite the Hurricanes’ quickies as well. Coupled with the pick ball under the lights, the batsmen’s patience and ability will be tested.
There is cause for optimism for Jaguars and some pessimism for the Hurricanes, as the visitors have lost two of their last three matches this season, so there may be a crisis of confidence on their part.
This may be enough for the Jaguars to exploit and take a giant leap to ensuring they cannot be denied securing their fourth straight title, but the Hurricanes proved in their last match that they can be quite unpredictable coming within 26 runs of victory in what looked a highly improbable, if not impossible chase.
Jaguars (from) – Leon Johnson (captain), Anthony Bramble, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Keon Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Veerasammy Permaul, Akshaya Persaud, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Vishaul Singh
Hurricanes (from) – Rahkeem Cornwall (captain), Sheeno Berridge, Nkrumah Bonner, Shane Burton, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Chesney Hughes, Jeremiah Louis, Mervin Matthew, Akeem Saunders, Devon Thomas, Gavin Tonge, Terence Warde