When stumps were drawn on day three at Providence, there were still two overs and two balls to go in the day’s play but with the artificial lights on it became a bit difficult to see the red ball and the umires thought it best to called time.
At that point, the three-time defending champions, Guyana Jaguars were 104 for 4 still 61 runs away from their fifth victory this season with all of today to play against the Windward Islands Volcanoes in their Digicel Regional Four-Day round six match.
Shiv Chanderpaul (left) and Vishaul Singh steadied the Jaguars second innings
After resuming on 127 for 6, the Volcanoes lead by Devon Smith, displayed stubborn resistance to frustrate the Jaguars by going past the 200-run mark in their second innings and at the same time extending their lead past 150 to set the afternoon session.
When Kyle Mayers was dismissed off the last ball of day two, wicketkeeper Dennis Smith joined his uncle, Devon at the start of play on Saturday which was delayed by 45 minutes due to rain and they batted sensibly to put on 69 for the seventh wicket. The acrobatic gloveman showed his ability in front of the stumps by stroking five fours before he was sent back as the 200-run mark approached.
Devon Smith, who raised his 56th First Class half century when he drove the first ball he faced in the day’s play from Veerasammy Permaul, was then joined by Shane Shillingford who also put his head down and batted brilliantly in the circumstances.
The home team then got their second wicket of the session when left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie deceived Smith just five runs short of his 33rd First Class century. It turned out to be the final before lunch which was taken at 214 for 8 with Shillingford on seven and Delorn Johnson on two and the Volcanoes leading by 137.
After the interval, the pair continued to frustrate the defending champions by negotiating Motie and Permaul easily for their 30-run partnership which eventually ended when the second new ball was taken.
The first ball with the ‘new cherry’ was sent down by Keemo Paul and Johnson tried to clear mid-on but found the safe hands of Rutherford to end the stand under dark clouds. One ball later, the heavens opened and the players were off the field for 48 minutes. Upon the resumption, Shillingford rearguard action ended when he was snapped up spectacularly by a Paul running to his right from wide mid-off and diving full stretch to pouch the ball inches from the ground.
All of the Jaguars bowlers picked up two wickets each before the batsmen set about the run chase in their second innings.
The visitors, who enjoyed a good day began in absolute perfect fashion when left-arm seamer trapped Tagenarine Chanderpaul LBW in the first over without a run on the board. The lively Vincentian, Johnson settled on a nice line and length and along with new ball partner, Sherman Lewis made the Guyanese very uncomfortable. Leon Johnson joined opener, Chandrapaul Hemraj at the crease and they took the score to 23 without further loss at tea. The Jaguars were still 142 runs away and the Volcanoes’ tails were up.
When the final session began in cool conditions, Jaguars captain, Leon Johnson got a peach of a delivery from Delorn Johnson and lost his off stump. At the other end, Hemraj was playing some crisps shots but when seemed set for a big knock he was sent back by Kyle Mayers who replaced Johnson at the Media Centre End.
The game was wide open as wickets were falling regularly but Shivnarine Chanderpaul joined Vishaul Singh and the batted intelligently to take the score to 88 before Shillingford got Chanderpaul to drive at a wide delivery only to nick to slip with 77 still needed for victory.
Anthony Bramble then stayed with Singh who is approaching another half century when the Umpires Shannon Crawford and Christopher Taylor decided that play will go to a fourth day.
In all, 48 minutes were lost due to rain and today’s action will begin at 09:00h when the Jaguars will look to get the runs required to remain unbeaten and on top of the points standing while the Volcanoes will be looking for the great comeback for their first win of the season.
Both teams will have to keep their eyes on the rain.
