The Guyana Jaguars are 103 runs away from victory against the Jamaica Scorpions heading into the final day, today, at Sabina Park. The Jaguars’ performance has been spearheaded by Raymond Reifer’s five-wicket haul and a brisk knock from opener Shimron Hetmyer, who scored 42 runs as the visitors closed the third day on 79-2.
Raymond Reifer
Jaguars began to dominate when the left-arm medium-fast bowler Reifer literally took matters into his own hands after Scorpions had slipped to 130-4 in 46 overs. He claimed five of the next six wickets that fell, to close with performance figures of 5-60 in Scorpions’ second innings. The Scorpions eventually capitulated at 188 all out, to set a target of 182 for the visitors.
Reifer received support from Veerasammy Permaul, who captured 3-40; while Keon Joseph, who claimed career best of 7-53 in Scorpions’ first innings, and debutant Romario Shepherd grabbed a wicket apiece. Only Jermaine Blackwood on 37, Brandon King on 22 and Devon Thomas on 21 manage to get past 20.
In pursuit of the small fourth-innings target, Jaguars raced to 11 in 2.3 overs, before Tagenarine Chanderpaul retired hurt, making way for skipper Leon Johnson, who scored brisk runs to reach 10 before he was removed by Derval Green with the score at 30-2.
In came Vishaul Singh, who joined Shimron Hetmyer at the crease, and the two carried the score to 79 before the latter was removed by Nikita Miller just before the close. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who was yet to score, and Singh on 13 will lead the Jaguars’ charge on the morning of day four.
Shimron Hetmyer
Earlier, resuming day three on 61-1 with Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood and Chadwick Walton on 25 and nine respectively, Scorpions moved to 76 before they lost their first wicket of the day, Blackwood, for 37.
After Blackwood’s dismissal, Scorpions slipped to 130-4 in 46 overs, scoring at just over two runs per over as the Jaguars’ bowlers made it difficult for them to score.
At Kensington Oval, visitors Leeward Island Hurricanes are staring at an innings’ defeat to Barbados, after reeling at 163-9 in the first innings. They closed the day on 16-4, trailing by 144 to make the Pride bat again. Pride had made 313 in their first innings.
Chasing a target of 375 for victory at Grenada National Stadium, hosts Windward Island Volcanoes are 68-1, and still 308 runs adrift of victory. Devon Smith is still there on 41 not out, and with him is Gabriel on 23. Volcanoes first innings folded at 104.
