Jaguars in firm control after Bramble’s century on day 2

Pride 33-1 at stumps after Jaguars 548

Anthony Bramble was the showstopper on day two with a brilliant unbeaten 130; Raymond Reifer’s 75 and Sherfane Rutherford’s 54 powered the Jaguars to a daunting first innings score. Significant contributions came from Clinton Pestano and Veerasammy Permaul who both scored 32 after Chanderpaul Hemraj’s 144 on day one.
It was ‘licks like pigeon peas’ at the Kensington Oval, as the Guyana Jaguars continued to bat the Barbados Pride out of the match. Berbician Anthony Bramble recorded his second First-class century while the aggressive Sherfane Rutherford notched up a counter-attacking half century. Resuming the second day on 319-5, with Anthony Bramble and Raymond Reifer at the crease, many may have thought the Jaguars would declare after the first session on day two.
However, the runs kept coming for the Guyanese team as the Barbados Pride players toiled hard under scintillating sunshine in Barbados. Reifer resumed on 53 while Bramble began the day on 51, and the 105-partnership between the pair grew from strength to strength. The all test-experience Pride bowling attack and the lackadaisical field errors continued to cost the Barbadian team. Reifer was the first dismissed in the 16th over of the day for a well composed knock of 75. The Barbadian born Reifer’s innings lasted 121 balls and included 12 hallmark fours after he was out caught by Brooks off the bowling of off-spinner Roston Chase.
After the 157-run Reifer-Bramble partnership, Bramble continued his merry way and the left-handed Rutherford partnered him as the pair continued to pressure the Pride bowlers. With Bramble well set heading into the day, the Pride captain Brooks failed to insert a sweeper as the runs kept coming with ease.
Bramble rolled back some memories when he scored his maiden century last season, with his breathtaking 130*. His unbeaten innings came off 208 balls that included 17 timely fours and one 6. Meanwhile, Rutherford was at his aggressive best scoring a 43-ball 54 that included three sixes and five fours. Returning to the 4-Day squad, Rutherford ran past a ball from Ashley Nurse and his aggressive stroke play led to his demise, when wicket-keeper Dowrich dislodged the bails. Bramble and Rutherford featured in a 73-run partnership; the score was on 444-7 when the seventh wicket fell.
The Berbician Bramble was very selective in his stroke play, hitting the ball in the gaps and at no point in time did he look to throw his wicket away. Romario Shepherd partnered with Bramble but two runs later, Shepherd was dismissed via the run out route. The Jaguars were 446-8 in the 119th over with 500 well in sight. Shepherd was run out by Shayne Moseley but Clinton Pestano entered the crease with intent.
In little time, Bramble and Pestano added 47 runs for the ninth wicket partnership as the Barbados Pride continued to endure frustration. Pestano, who was aiming to up the ante, was dismissed at the long on boundary off the bowling of Ashley Nurse. The off-spinner Nurse picked up his fourth wicket of the innings after Pestano was caught by substitute fielder, Keon Harding for 32 from two balls. Pestano’s breezy innings contained four fours and two sixes.
Pestano departed at 493-9 after 127.2 overs; the Barbados Pride players were expecting a Leon Johnson declaration but it was not the case. Veerasammy Permaul, the final Jaguars player partnered his Albion teammate in Bramble and the pair extended the first innings run. Permaul who is very capable with the bat continued to weary the Pride bowlers with a stubborn 32 from 70 balls. The right handed batsman, Permaul was dismissed by part-timer Jonathan Carter, who did a job that no other test bowler in the Pride attack failed to do. Permaul hit a consolation boundary in his supporting knock that ensured the Jaguars finished on a daunting 548 all out.
Bramble received a standing ovation after his undefeated 130; it was an innings where the wicket-keeper batsman showcased great concentration and impressive timing. Ashley Nurse picked up 4-122 while Jason Holder, Jomel Warrican, Roston Chase and Jonathan Carter had one wicket each.
The Barbados Pride openers, Kraigg Brathwaite and Shayne Mosely stepped out in the afternoon session to face the music. Berbician duo, Clinton Pestano and Romario Shepherd shared the new ball as rain interrupted play at Kensington.
After the resumption of play, Barbados Pride ended the day on 33-1 with Mosely being dismissed for 15. Raymond Reifer picked up the first wicket, as Mosely was out caught by Chanderpaul Hemraj.
Kraigg Brathwaite is standing tall on 11 off 43 balls and he will be aiming to score significant runs for the Pride.
Play on the penultimate day will resume at 10:00h Eatsern Caribbean time.