The Guyana Jaguars have ended day two’s final session of play on 115-3, enjoying a lead of 152 at stumps. Leon Johnson top-scored with 51, while Tagenarine Chanderpaul was left unbeaten on 29.
Clinton Pestano had earlier set the tone for the Jaguars by picking up two wickets in the opening over of the day, to finish with four wickets, while Permaul captured three wickets.
The Volcanoes were bowled out for 187 in 59.1 overs, with Delron Johnson and Alick Athanze scoring 34 runs each.
After a see-saw opening day at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia, the Guyana Jaguars took firm control early in the second day’s play, which commenced with the fiery Pestano continuing where he had left off on day one. In the first over of the day, Pestano removed Taryck Gabriel (07) and Roland Cato
Tagenarine Chanderpaul at one stage faced 6 maidens
(03) in the space of one run, the pink ball zipping through to Jaguars wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble as the fast bowlers continued to prosper.
Guyana Jaguars has been a team known for utilizing more spinners, but in seam-friendly conditions, Pestano, Shepherd and Gabriel were brilliant.
Kavem Hodge and Alick Athanaze looked to rebuild the Volcanoes innings at 37-4, but were contained by the Jaguars. After 12 overs, the Jaguars had removed Hodge (19) in the thirty-first over with the score on 74-5; and when West Indies under 19 batsman Alick Athanaze was joined by wicket-keeper Dennis Smith, the pair defied the probing Jaguars bowlers as they added 56 runs together for the sixth-wicket partnership. That was until Shepherd was finally rewarded with the wicket of Smith (20).
Volcanoes wicket-keeper Smith was positive in his stroke play, but that led to his demise — when he chased a wide delivery on the off-stump that was comfortably pouched by Johnson in the slip cordons.
It was after the interval that Smith was removed, and the typical cricketing term of “one brings two” was applied by the Jaguars. Athanaze is among the best youth batsmen in the Caribbean. He played, in the 2017-2018 Regional Super 50 final, a match winning innings that ensured the Volcanoes secure the title. However, this match was a different scenario for the young man. Athanaze was out two runs later, when he followed a delivery down the leg side and was bowled by Permaul as the score slumped to 133-7.
Athanaze’s promising innings ended with him scoring 34 runs from 80 balls, which included three fours.
Shane Shillingford and Delron Johnson showed signs of occupying the crease, but Shillingford faced 35 balls and was run out by Shepherd for seven.
Volcanoes were still behind at 171-8, but Delron, with his big hits, took Volcanoes closer to the Jaguars’ first innings total. Then Permaul, the seasoned spinner, wrapped up the Volcanoes’ innings by claiming the final wicket with the score on 187.
Pestano was the best bowler on show, with 4-46 from 14 overs, inclusive of five maidens; while Permaul captured 3-13 in 6.1 overs. Shepherd and Keon Joseph picked up one wicket each.
Having obtained a handy 37-run lead, the Jaguars openers Chanderpaul and Trevon Griffith were confident heading out to bat in the second innings. Griffith was the aggressor in the opening stand, but was the first batsman dismissed, with the score on 42-1 in the 11th over.
Griffith hit two sixes off Ray Jordan, but was dismissed for a shining 36-ball 23, being brilliantly run out by Kirk Edwards.
Captain Johnson, who scored a century in the final practice match at Providence, showed early signs of positive stroke-play. Johnson joined Chanderpaul and the pair was up to the task against the Windward Islands Volcanoes bowlers.
Occupying the crease as per norm, Chanderpaul played a supporting role to the aggressive Johnson. The pair batted with a sense of maturity, and in the process, Johnson reached his half-century with a streaky boundary that got past the wicket-keeper and first slip.
Continuing on an off-stump line, Jordan captured the prized scalp of Johnson, who failed to convert yet another half-century.
Chanderpaul continued to play the anchor role for the Jaguars, at one stage facing six consecutive maidens from Shillingford. Vishaul Singh, who was the mainstay in the first innings, fell cheaply when he was adjudged leg before wicket to Shillingford for three.
With a few overs left in the day, Pestano, the night watchman, survived along with Chanderpaul.
Day three continues today from 14:00h Eastern Caribbean Time.
