On a day where numerous batsmen got starts but none managed to build on their innings, solid half-centuries by Anthony Bramble (62) and Chandrapaul Hemraj (60) shepherded the Jaguars to 258 for 8 at stumps on the first day (Thursday) of their Cricket West Indies (CWI) Digicel 4-day match against the Scorpions at the National Stadium, Providence.
Despite the overcast conditions for the majority of the day, the pitch produced no ‘demons’ for batting but yet the locals gifted many of wickets cheaply and will be desperately hoping unbeaten batsmen Romario Shepherd on 18 and Veerasammy Permaul whose yet to score can take them close as possible to 300 runs today for a second batting bonus point.
Young Sherfane Rutherford looked to be in full control
Being inserted with the threat of rain lingering, Rajendra Chandrika and Tagenarine Chanderpaul weathered the new-ball burst from Jason Dawes and Derval Green, though both bowlers were guilty of not forcing the batsmen to play too often.
Chanderpaul got his first boundary with a clip over square-leg against Green while Chandrika played a crisp cover-drive which left the fielders unmoved.
Green changed ends and errored in length and line to which Chandrika wasted no time in capitalising with two boundaries through point.
Captain Paul Palmer persisted with the diminutive pacer for another over in which drew the Test batman into shot outside his off-stump for a soft edge. He fell in the 17th over after hitting four boundaries to end the opening resistance.
Hemraj came to the crease and immediately showed urgency with some sweetly timed strokes both sides of the wicket.
Left-arm wrist spinner Dennis Bulli introduction immediately brought virtue since he had Chanderpaul edging to first slip just two overs before lunch for a painstaking 14 in which he occupied the crease for 105 minutes.
Captain Leon Johnson unbeaten on two and Hemraj on 22 carried the host to lunch at 66 without any more causalities.
The second session began in the most positive note with Johnson delightfully driving Bulli through cover while Hemraj continued to grow in stature, using the crease to his advantage in the counter-attack against the spinners.
Johnson continued to be positive striking fours boundaries on his way to 20. Off-spinner Damani Sewell returned to the attack and got the wicket of the Test batsman with a deliver which scythed through his defence.
West Indies under-19 batsman Bhaskar Yadram was clueless Bulli in his seven-ball duck, leaving Jaguars in a spot of bother at 101 for 4 in the 40th over.
Wicket keeper Bramble was given a promotion of which himself and Hemraj steadied the proceedings.
Bramble had early life when he was dropped on nine by Gareth Garvey off the bowling of Sewell. At the other end Hemarj pulled Bulli for six to reach second First-Class half-century from 89 balls inclusive of six fours and one six.
The lanky off-spinner soon had his man, getting Hemraj to prod at delivery outside his off-stump and into the hands of silly mid-off for a well-played knock which had seven boundaries and one six, spanning just one minute short of three hours.
Keemo Paul trudged to the crease and smashed his first ball form Sewell for a huge six over mid-wicket.
Tea was taken at 151-6 with Bramble and Rutherford on 17 and one respectively and after the interval they took the home side over the 200-run mark. Bramble began to look busy at the crease on his way to his sixth First-Class half century. For that milestone he faced 95 balls and caressed six fours to the ropes.
The land-mark brought even more confidence as he became wristy, stylishly effecting late cuts and flicks backward of square.
Rutherford, who showcased an abundance of patience early in his innings began opening his shoulders and crashing left-arm spinner Fabian Allen through the cover region.
Just when he looked set to carry on, he skied a delivery to mid-off, ending the innings rebuilding partnership of 83 for the seventh wicket.
It was now up to the 19 year-old Rutherford in his second game at this level to bat Jaguars to safety as he looked set to reach his maiden half-century. However, Sewell had other ideas as the arm-ball once again caught the batsman napping in an uncharacteristic innings which spanned 150 minutes, 105 balls and six fours.
The off-spinner could have had his fourth victim when Palmer floored a diving chance at first slip off-the final ball of the day.
The second day’s play is slated to start at 09:30h today.
