…Paul snatches 5-59, Hemraj & Tagenarine notch 50
Openers Chandrapaul Hemraj and Tangerine Chanderpaul cracked contrasting half-centuries to ensure the Guyana Jaguars kept their momentum heading into day three against the Barbados Pride when round 5 of the 2018 Digicel Regional 4-Day Championship continues at Providence.
Chasing the Pride’s 1st inning total of 294 on a rain affected day, the defending champs were 180-4 from 57 overs at close of play, trailing by 114 runs.
Veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul was 13 not out with two fours while night watchman, Gudakesh Motie will seek to build on his three runs when the battle resumes today.
Twenty-four-year-old Hemraj who was used as a makeshift opener this season following the lack of form by seasoned opener Rajendra Chandrika, followed up his previous scores of 60 and 50 with an aggressive 79 decorated with nine fours and four sixes; which set the tone for his team’s chase.
Tagenarine on the other hand was a bit more circumspect as his gritty 52 of 152 balls with just four fours, anchored the Jaguars throughout most of the session before he fell to out-of-favor West Indies spinner Jomel Warrican.
After the entire first session was washed out, the visitors were bowled out for 294 in 97.3 overs only adding 14 to their overnight score. Guyana Jaguars pacer Keemo Paul who snared 5-59 and Keon Joseph who ended with 3-69 were the only bowlers employed by Leon Johnson who did the job in the six and a half overs of sheer pace and accuracy in the midday sun which stayed throughout the afternoon.
Middle-order batsman Justin Greaves, who frustrated the opposition with his innings of 72 was the first to go and was followed by wicketkeeper Mario Rampersaud and Warrican in quick succession.
Hemraj and Tagenarine set about the response in a positive manner to put together the best opening partnership of the season for the Jaguars, 115.
Tagenarine was watchful while the more aggressive Hemraj, who was dropped by the wicketkeeper on one, sought to impose himself at an early stage as he raced into the 30’s on the back of some eye-catching boundaries. The pair settled in nicely and by tea the defending champs had already raised their 100 runs without any hiccups as the Pride bowlers sought success on a pitch that is challenging to bat on.
After the break, the runs would continue to flow, especially off the bat of Hemraj who muscled a few over the ropes while consistently looking for less dangerous ways to score. The in-form left-hander then reached his half-century with three consecutive fours off of off-spinner Ashley Nurse after nearly more than an hour at the crease.
Barbados would then pull things back after Justin Greaves, the savior with the bat in the first innings; had Hemraj run out after a terrible miscommunication between the Guyanese openers. Things got worse as Guyana went from 115-0 to 120-2 in a space of a few delivers, when Jonathan Carter knocked over the Jaguars Captain with a beauty.
The Jaguars most productive batsman this year, Vishaul Singh then partnered Tagenarine whose score was now peeking into the 30’s but Greaves’ golden arm would come into action again when Singh was caught at the wicket by Mario Rampersaud.
Chanderpaul senior then joined his son out in the middle for a brief period before the younger Chanderpaul offered Rampersaud another catch in fading light at Providence.
Day three’s action is expected to commence from 9:00h; weather permitting when the home team will be grafting to overhaul the Pride’s total with Shiv still at the crease and Keemo Paul, Anthony Bramble and Sherfane Rutherford still to come while the Pride will be looking to utilize the conditions to restrict the champions.
However, they may be without the services of Ashley Nurse who rolled over his right shoulder while fielding and left the field.
An interesting day three awaits us all.
