Jaguars focused on semi-final clash with Windward Islands Volcanoes

CG Insurance Regional Super50

By Brandon Corlette

Boosted by the inclusion of West Indies players Raymon Reifer and Veerasammy Permaul, the Guyana Jaguars are seeking to register a collective and winning team effort against the Windward Islands Volcanoes in today’s semi-final match of the CG Insurance Regional Super50 tournament. Action starts from 13:30h at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

On the eve of this match, captain Leon Johnson has said the Jaguars will not be complacent, even though they brushed aside the Volcanoes on Monday last. The skipper noted that his team would be aiming to get the batting right and avoid any further collapse.
He noted that the Jaguars have gotten better in the field, and teams that are impressive in the tournament are likely to win.

Speaking on the return of Reifer and Permaul, Johnson, in a virtual presser, said: “They give the team a big boost. Raymon brings another dimension with his left-arm seam, and we all know Permaul is crafty and we know what he can do.”
With the return of this duo meeting most of the Jaguars players performing well in the tournament thus far, Johnson has said it would be a headache to select eleven players to ‘put on the park’.
Although having scored two half-centuries, Shimron Hetmyer has been guilty of gifting his wicket away on many occasions. Johnson has said management spoke to Hetmyer and he has owned up to his mistakes.
“He played a more mature innings. I spoke to him and told him that’s how he needs to play, and we saw that in the last game against Windward Islands. Hopefully, he keeps that up mentally and that good form in the next two games,” Johnson said.

The legendary Shivnarine Chanderpaul is in the squad, and Johnson says he has been very influential to the team, and his presence is invaluable.
Johnson also spoke of Tevin Imlach who has seemingly solved the problem regarding the Jaguars’ opening partnership. He noted that Imlach has been working hard, and this left-right combination has been working.
Meanwhile, Volcanoes skipper Sunil Ambris has said his team would be aiming to brush off the rust from their “bad day at the office.” Volcanoes, who defeated the Jaguars in a semi-final match a few years ago, will be boosted by the return of Kaveem Hodge. Johnson has said he is cautious of this development, but believes that the team that plays good cricket on the day would win.
Of the last five matches between these two teams, Jaguars won four while the Volcanoes have won one of those matches.
Chandrapaul Hemraj is the leading batsman for the Jaguars this season with 195 runs in five innings, while Christopher Barnwell has 170 runs and Shimron Hetmyer has recorded 167 runs.
In the bowling department, Gudakesh Motie has 12 wickets, while Nial Smith has eight scalps.
The Windward Islands Volcanoes, who recently recorded a poor batting display against the Jaguars, will be led by Sunil Ambris who recorded 192 runs, while Keron Cottoy has made 175 runs. In the Volcanoes bowling department, left-arm spinner Larry Edwards has taken seven wickets.
Guyana Jaguars: Leon Johnson (captain), Shimron Hetmyer (vice-captain), Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Tevin Imlach, Keon Joseph, Ramaal Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Akshaya Persaud, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith; Esuan Crandon (Head Coach).
Windward Islands Volcanoes: Sunil Ambris (captain), Andre Fletcher (vice-captain), Alick Athanaze, Roland Cato, Keron Cottoy, Kenneth Dember, Larry Edward, Kavem Hodge, Ryan John, Ray Jordan, Kimani Melius, Preston McSween, Kevin Stoute, Emmanuel Stewart, Obed McCoy; Andrew Richardson (Head Coach)