Jaguars ahead after seesaw day

– Chanderpaul props up champs with 50

The pendulum was busy on day two at Sabina Park where hosts Jamaica Scorpions ended the day on 167 for 5 after bowling out the defending champions, Guyana Jaguars cheaply in the opening session.
When stumps were drawn in the eighth round battle, the Scorpions were 90 runs ahead with opener Assad Fudadin on 61 and wicketkeeper Aldaine Thomas on 9. Fudadin saw wickets tumbling around him after putting on a well compiled opening partnership with Windies “A” batsman John Campbell who made 62.
After Campbell became the first of two victims of left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, the Scorpions collapsed losing five wickets for 41 in quick succession to hand back the honours to the Jaguars at the end of the day.

Earlier, the three-time defending champions began the day in a comfortable position of 75 for 3 with Vishaul Singh (10) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (03) replying to 106 all out made by the hosts in their first innings. The pair saw the score past the 100-run mark before Singh was dismissed with the Jaguars just four runs behind the Scorpions. This trigger a collapse when Anthony Bramble, Raymon Reifer and Keemo Paul were dismissed for one run that saw the score move from 122 for 5 to 123 for 7 which brought the Scorpions right back in contention through good bowling from seamers Raynard Leveridge and Derval Green and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller. The 43-year old ever dependable Chanderpaul then shepherd the tail nicely etching out 60 runs from the last three batsmen. In the process, Shiv brought up his 142nd First Class half century in his 376th match before he became Miller’s fourth victim to end the innings at lunch after the extended opening session. In all, the Jaguars scored 108 runs while losing seven wickets in 37.5 overs taking a slim lead of 77 runs and leaving the contest wide open.
However, determined batting from the Scorpions’ openers allowed the pendulum to swing in their court before the Jaguars fought back to once again sneak ahead making today’s third day a juicy affair in the making.