The Leeward Islands Hurricanes batted all day on Saturday to take an important 68-run lead over champions, Guyana Jaguars in their final round match in the Digicel Regional Four Day Tournament at Providence.
Hurricanes opening batsmen continued from day one on the batsman’s paradise at the national stadium and took their opening stand to 79 before Chesney Hughes gloved Clinton Pestano down the leg side where wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble took his first of four catches.
Jaguars best bowler Raymon Reifer beats the bat of Jacques Taylor who fought hard for his unbeaten 60
That was the only success for the hosts in the first session as the Hurricanes went to lunch on 110 without further loss with Montcin Hodge on 59 and the classy Keacy Carty on nine.
The Jaguars bowled tight in their 34 overs where only 48 runs were scored for the one wicket and were to enjoy their best session after lunch.
In the second over after lunch, Raymon Reifer’s first of the session, Carty offerd Bramble a regulation catch at 115/2 in the 61st over which triggered a mini collapse for the visitors.
Akeem Saunders soon came and went when he flicked to mid-wicket after hitting a boundary and he was followed by the stubborn Hodge who was well taken by Leon Johnson at first slip. His patient 70 came from 224 balls, 243 minutes of batting with 12 fours.
Steven Jacobs got among the wickets in the next over when he got the prize scalp of Rakheem Cornwall who was beaten by a straight quicker one from the right arm off spinner at 129-5. The Hurricanes had lost four wickets for 14 runs at that point.
Jacobs would strike again when Sherwin Peters tried to go over the top and found substitute fielder Gudakesh Motie at mid-wicket at 140-6 and the Jaguars were sensing a dramatic fight back.
However, West Indies A team wicketkeeper, Jahmar Hamilton and Jacques Taylor would arrest the slide to put together a fighting 71-run partnership for the seventh wicket either side of the Tea interval.
At tea, the Hurricanes were 187/6 level with the Jaguars first innings score. Hamilton was on 32 and Taylor 23 as 77 runs were scored in the 28 overs in the session for the loss of five wickets.
After the interval, Hamilton was dismissed at 211-7 giving Reifer his fourth wicket after labouring from both sides. It turned out to be the last bit of success for the Jaguars as Taylor found another good partner in Jeremiah Louis in putting together an unbeaten 44 when stumps were drawn.
The Jaguars took the second new ball after 112 overs with the score on 242-7 and the lead 55 but Reifer nor Pestano could dislodge the dogged pair.
The Hurricane will begin day three today on 255-7 with Taylor on 60 (129balls; 165 minutes; 9×4; 1×6) and Louis 20 (70 balls; 78 minutes; 2×4; 1×6) with a lead of 68.
The Jaguars have already been declared champions.
