The conclusion of being four-time champions was foregone two rounds ago but they still needed to add the icing on the cake by being unbeaten and they did so emphatically by hammering Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by an innings and 81 runs .
The sterling victory brought an end to their remarkable campaign in the 2017/18
Newcomer Akshaya Persaud was given an ice bath by his teammates during their celebration
Cricket West Indies (CWI)/ Digicel four-day championship on Sunday at the National Stadium, Providence.
The imminent result came less than an hour into the day’s play after the visitors resumed the day on 282-8, still needing 123 runs to make Jaguars bat again. The question was whether Jason Mohammed would reach his seventh First-Class century after ending the penultimate day on 92.
The Windies 50-over vice-captain did not take long to respond. After scurrying for some singles he lifted the championship’s highest wicket taker (50 scalps) Veerasammy Permaul over his head for four then guided one through point for another boundary which brought one of his many charismatic celebrations. His
Jason Mohammed also had something to celebrate as he reached his seventh First-Class century
unbeaten 103 saw him face 200 deliveries and stroke 16 fours, which was his team’s mainstay behind delaying the inevitable.
Bryan Charles played some robust shots against the steamy Keemo Paul which gave his teammates a sprinkling of excitement. He became too adventurous and played across the line to Permaul for his stumps to be disturb.
The last nail to be hammered into coffin for what has been an abysmal season for the bottom-placed Red Force, was that of number 11 Anderson Phillip. Walking to the middle with the taunts from ‘Juice-man’ Norman loud in his ears, he managed to steal two streaky boundaries before Paul sent his off-stump for a walk and the celebrations began.
Players went scampering for first grab at the stumps as memorabilia and it was soon after the champagne popping and loud cheers of Jaguars echoed around the stadium.
At the simple presentation ceremony which included CWI Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams and Guyana Cricket Board Secretary Anand Sanasie, Raymon Reifer was named man-of-the match for his unbeaten 108 and match figures of 5-72.
After ten rounds this season, Jaguars played unbeaten winning seven matches, battling for two draws and one nerve-wrecking tie. They will now turn their attention to the Regional Super50 which gets underway January 30 in Barbados and Antigua. (Akeem Greene)
