Chandrapaul Hemraj and Keemo Paul; let’s remember these two names since for a long time we should be reading about them following success gathered from playing for the Guyana Jaguars in the just concluded Cricket West Indies Professional Cricket League Digicel Regional Four-day tournament.
It was the first full season for the duo who are now finding their feet in First-Class cricket and boy did they deliver monumentally. Their astonishing exploits played great influential roles in the Jaguars winning their fourth consecutive four-day title.
While the precious and maiden First-Class century evaded the stylish Hemraj, he topped his team’s batting charts with 623 runs at an average of 36.64; five half-centuries were also scored and the figures piloted him into fifth place on the overall championship charts.
Chandrapaul Hemraj
It was not just about the runs he accumulated but rather the manner in which he got them. For the left-handed batsman who is 24 years-old has just 15 matches under his belt, he looked impregnable against some seasoned campaigners.
After spending some time away from the sport, the former Windies under-19 player showed some form during the latter stage of the 2016-17 season. It gave the biggest hint of what was to be expected.
In his first of the just concluded season he made a well composed 60 against Jamaica Scorpions at Providence. Though just seven fours and one six, he looked the most positive of all the batsmen, taking the initiative to the opposition.
Hailing from Mahaica on the East Coast of Demerara, his adeptness to playing spin was impeccable, using the crease to his desire. Oh and let’s not forget his crunching square-cut against seamers; many times it left fielders unmoved.
There is more fascination about the Everest Cricket Club player as after coming off two consecutive half-centuries at the number three position, he was asked open the batting. He failed on his first outing against Leeward Hurricanes in St Kitts with scores of 0 and 23. However, he soon found his mojo and the runs returned in a position he remained until the end of the season which had a fruitful pairing with Everest club mate and good friend, Tagenarine Chanderpaul.
Against Barbados Pride at the Kensington Oval in the penultimate round, his maiden century was in his grasp but he had the long walk back to the pavilion after falling for 90. With multiple occasions to seal the triple figure score, the left-hander must now be cognisant of the fact that he would just need to hold his concentration for longer whenever approaching that landmark.
Let’s shift our attention to Keemo Paul now. He stands next in line with 42 wickets (most by any seamer this season) at an average of 18.69. Best innings figures were 5-59 while match figures read 9-122.
Those exploits helped the 19 year-old surpass 50 First-Class wickets in just 13 matches. It gets even better since he notched his maiden ton in belligerent manner against the Scorpions on his way to scoring 260 runs, though at a disappoint average of 18.57.
While his tally with the bat is expected to improve as he learns more about his cricket, the bowling has been nothing short of spectacular.
A right-arm seamer who hails from the island of Saxacalli in the Essequibo River, the former Windies under-19 vice-captain is by all means not considered to be any menacing bowler but rather ‘street smart’ in out-thinking batsmen.
However, on some flat pitches he showed he can find an extra yard of pace, producing some hostile spells. Most notably would be at Kensington Oval where he had the local batsmen at sea with meaningful short-pitched bowling and then pitching perfect in-swingers.
Long-standing Barbadian commentator Andrew Mason was in full praise of the lad, highlighting his great ability to analyse batsmen quickly and execute. His fast growth as a cricket, only points to one inevitable fact that donning the maroon cap is not far away.
Though Paul and Hemraj as young cricketers, who are now finding their feet, they were other players in the Jaguars unit who put their hands up when the team needed.
Another teenager in all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford showed he has the ingredients to have a long and fruitful career. His tally of 22 wickets was the second best by a seamer in the squad and he took had great opportunity to score a century in the final match against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force but fell agonizingly for 93.
Overall his nine matches yielded 343 runs at an average of 38.11. The admirable aspect of his season stems on the premise that he is known for his flamboyance with the willow. He plays lots of shots and has shown maturity and ability to bat based on the situation.
Last but not least, is wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble who had a season to remember both behind and in front of the stumps.
With a highest score of 196 not out against the Hurricanes, Bramble racked up 613 runs at an average of 47.15 which nearly doubled his tally from the last season. He acted as the ‘saviour’ on many occasions and that high score was indicative of one of those situations. Bramble’s career best innings began when Jaguars were tottering at 41-4 in their first innings at Providence but was enough for the easy 10-wicket victory in the end.
And with gloves on, he took 42 catches and three stumpings a total of 45 with the next best being 16 dismissals by Hurricanes’ Jahmar Hamilton.
Special mention must be given to seasoned campaigner Veerasammy Permaul, who topped the championship’s bowling charts with 50 wickets and Tagenarine Chanderpaul who recorded his maiden ton. Windies ‘A’ team are expected to engaged this year in home and away series and if deservedly selected it should provide these talented lads with the litmus test to determine if they are ready for International cricket.
