— Johnson’s unbeaten ton, Motie’s 4-for do the job
Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson hit his second List A ton to lead the Jaguars to a 5-wicket win against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the CG Insurance Regional Super50 Cup in Antigua.
Leon Johnson has hit his second List A century
Battling away, Johnson ended unbeaten on 102 to help his team chase down 245 with 13 balls to spare.
Gudakesh Motie’s top spell of 4-45 had earlier restricted the Hurricanes to 244-9.
Jaguars won the toss and bowled first, with one change in the starting XI -Ramaal Lewis replacing Akshaya Persaud. Out-of-favour West Indies opener Kieran Powell and newcomer Ross Powell capitalised on the ordinary Jaguars fielding to add 152 runs for the opening partnership. Kieran was the aggressor, while Ross was the apprentice at the other end. The latter was not removed until the 31st over, when he fell to Motie.
Gudakesh Motie had 4 wickets (Photos: CWI Media Phillp Spooner)
While most people would question Motie’s late introduction into the attack, it proved to be an anti-climactic in the Hurricanes innings. Ross Powell scored 61 from 99 balls, including eight fours, but after that big 152-run opening partnership, the Hurricanes lost eight wickets for 86 runs, with Motie wreaking havoc on the Hurricanes.
Motie sent back Kieran Powell for 94 through a catch sharply taken by Leon Johnson when the score was at 164-2. The rain intervened for 12 minutes, but Motie picked up from where he had left off by removing the top four Hurricanes batsmen.
Nial Smith claimed three wickets
In addition to Motie’s 4-45 in nine overs, fellow Berbician Nial Smith, bowling with pace and aggression, was rewarded late in his spell with good figures of 3-47 in nine overs, inclusive of one maiden, as Hurricanes ended on 244-9 in 50 overs.
Romario Shepherd chipped in with 2-50 in eight overs.
In response, Jaguars had a steady start, with Chandrapaul Hemraj and Assad Fudadin adding 45 runs in 8.5 overs. Hemraj was trapped at the crease by Guyanese Ashmead Nedd, while Shimron Hetmyer (09) was run out by the live-wire Hayden Walsh Jr when the score was at 56-2.
Fudadin and skipper Johnson joined forces, and the duo added 20 runs together. The experienced Christopher Barnwell and Johnson then added 101 runs to set up the chase. Barnwell chased a wide ball and edged to slips, where the catch was taken when he was on 49 from 52 balls, which included three sixes and one four.
Johnson continued to anchor the innings, adding 14 with Anthony Bramble (02). Shepherd stayed unbeaten on 17 from 23 balls, while Johnson ended on 102 from 123 balls, which included 12 fours and one six.
Nedd had 2-24 in his 10 overs, while Sheeno Berridge had 2-57. Jaguars will play Jamaica Scorpions on Sunday February 14 in a match that starts at 13:30h.
