– Akshaya Persaud makes debut
Guyana Jaguars hold the upper hand after bowling out Jamaica Scorpions for a paltry 106 on the first day of their 2017/18 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Digicel 4-day Championship at Sabina Park on Thursday.
However, the hosts will still walk away with heads high after limiting Jaguars to 75-3 with inform batsmen Vishaul Singh and Shivnarine Chanderpaul unbeaten on ten and three respectively at stumps and Jaguars 31 runs adrift.
Only 58.2 overs were possible due to persistent rain but the visitors made hay while the sun shined in a fine all-rounded bowling performance led by seamers Keemo Paul and new Test player Raymon Reifer who combined to take six wickets.
Akshaya Persaud receives his First-Class cap from teammate Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Despite the home side fielding a more threatening unit with the return of top players from international duty, Jaguars won the toss and it paid immediately virtue with the dismissal of John Campbell in the third over.
Assad Fudadin against his countrymen could not offer much resistance and the rest of the batting order looked feeble against the three-time defending champions.
When Jaguars took their guard at the crease, they too received an early jolt to proceedings with young Akshaya Persaud who made his First-Class debut due to regular opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul being unwell, was un-done for a second ball duck.
Chandrapaul Hemraj on the other hand once again looked positive and in full control at the crease, crashing the Scorpions bowlers to and over the ropes.
The left-hander who is adapting to his new role as an opener cracked eight fours and one six in his 47 which came off just 53 deliveries until he fell to experienced left-arm spinner Nikta Miller. Captain Leon Johnson looked to be digging deep in his 43-ball 13 but fell to seamer Derval Green.
Today’s play is expected to resume at 09:30 hrs (Jamaica Time).
