In early March 2019, Guyana Jaguars were certain of obtaining a fifth successive Regional 4-Day title; and it became a reality. Conversely, Guyana Jaguars were uncertain of their performance in the recently concluded Regional Super50 tournament; and they suffered elimination by the hands of the United States of America (USA). Thus their search for a Super50 title continues.
Romario Shepherd, speaking to Brandon Corlette during a Jaguars practice session (Jemima Holmes photo)
In addition to the mixed results they obtained across the 4-Day and Super50 formats, 2019 has been a year wherein the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has been placed under the microscope. Head Coach Esuan Crandon had been in the West Indies coaching set-up, and is now out; while Jaguars Assistant Coach Rayon Griffith has cemented his place as fielding coach in the West Indies coaching staff.
Jaguars physiotherapist Neil Barry has made great strides in his field, progressing to the West Indies A set-up that was coached by Crandon.
Revisiting the year, the first match the Jaguars played in 2019 was from January 4-7 in Bridgetown, Barbados, against a team packed with Bajans who play for the West Indies.
Keemo Paul leading the Jaguars off the field
Their domination of the 4-Day format continued when Chandrapaul Hemraj and Anthony Bramble racked up big centuries against six West Indies bowlers, representing Barbados Pride. Jaguars went on to win that match by six wickets, and ended the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional 4-Day season with seven wins and three defeats, having scored 154.2 points.
Breakthrough year for Shepherd
Wearing the whites while representing the Jaguars in the 4-Day season, the boys from Berbice, Romario Shepherd, Veerasammy Permaul and Anthony Bramble, each enjoyed a dream season.
Christopher Barnwell in 2019 scored the most Super50 runs for Jaguars
In the 2018-2019 season, Shepherd bagged 37 wickets, the most by a fast-bowler in the Caribbean. Presently representing West Indies in India, 2019 has been a breakthrough year for Shepherd.
From success with Jaguars to West Indies A and Guyana Amazon Warriors, Shepherd is arguably the cricketer of the year. What stood out for Shepherd in the 4-Day season was his high fitness level. He played all ten 4-Day matches and ended with 37 wickets at an average of 20.13 and a best bowling figure of 5-24.
One of the main reasons for this level of fitness is the Academy process that enables players to train from Monday through Thursday, and maintain a high level of fitness.
Bramble who was harshly treated by West Indies selectors, ended the 4-Day season with 580 runs. He was followed by Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who scored 542 runs. Skipper Leon Johnson’s 480 runs was the next best.
Expectedly, Permaul dominated the Regional circuit with 42 wickets.
For West Indies’ representation in 2019, only a few Jaguars players made the cut, despite the franchise success.
Shepherd, Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Raymon Reifer and Devandra Bishoo were the Jaguars players who played across formats for West Indies in 2019. The talented trio of Rutherford, Paul and Hetmyer went on to represent teams in international franchise cricket.
Foo returns, Jags fall at Super50
Some new and familiar faces made the Guyana Jaguars Super50 squad for the Colonial Medical Insurance Regional Super50 Cup.
One notable pick was Jonathan Foo, who made 333 runs in the Cricket Guyana Inc. SBF Petroleum 50-overs Franchise league for the championship team Lower Corentyne. Foo made his opportunity count, finishing the Super50 Cup with 334 runs for Jaguars.
The mature Christopher Barnwell, who racked up 351 runs, was the leading player for Jaguars in an unsuccessful Super50 season. Jaguars lost four matches and recorded a similar number of wins, and still continue their search for a Super50 title, having been so engaged since 2005.
In the Super50 bowling department, Permaul continued his dominance at the Regional level with 11 wickets, while Ramaal Lewis and Raymon Reifer each had 10 wickets in the Super50 season.
Despite Jaguars’ disappointment in the Super50, the future looks good with the likes of Kevin Sinclair and Ashmead Nedd leading the West Indies Emerging Players to the Super50 title. Jaguars will be seeking to extend their dominance when the Regional 4-Day season bowls off in January 2020.
