Jaguars large & in charge

– Bramble, Motie put on record partnership; Permaul takes 6

By John Ramsingh

At stumps after an extended day two, the Leeward Islands Hurricanes are tottering at 114 for 9 replying to 417 made by the Guyana Jaguars in their first innings in round seven of the Digicel Regional four day tournament at Providence.
Veerasammy Permaul is once again the chief tormentor with his 25th First Class five-wicket haul as the Hurricanes trail by 303 runs heading into day three.
Permaul came into the attack after the opening spells from Romario Shepherd and Keemo Paul where three wickets fell and took matters into his own hands by picking up the remaining six wickets. 
After spending a full day and more than a session in the field, the Hurricanes looked a sea to good bowling from the home team. Only Shane Burton with a patient innings and Devon Thomas with an attacking knock got to 20 as wickets tumbled in quick succession bwfore stumps were drawn with Jeremiah Louis on one and Mervin Mathew yet to score at the crease.
Earlier, the opening session which began in beautiful sunshine was curtailed after 72 minutes due to a heavy down pour that brought an early end to the session. During that period, the only casualty was overnight batsman Veerasammy Permaul who was given out to the nagging and persistent Mervin Mathew to end a 44-run partnership before Motie and Bramble took the attack to the Hurricanes.
When the rains came, Bramble had taken his overnight score of 116 to 152 while Motie was on 11 and the hosts 333-9. When play resumed, the visitors’ bowling lacked penetration and the partnership was blossoming nicely under the night sky in cool conditions. Along the way they passed 350 to give the Jaguars their fourth batting bonus point then 400 and eventually 407 to complete the 100-run partnership for the last wicket.
Both batsmen were approaching milestones when Motie, who was playing each ball on its merit, ran out of his crease to off-spinner Ward for wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton to complete the stumping and end the 110-run partnership. Bramble who had hopes of converting his maiden century into a double was left a little disappointed but can take comfort in his effort which allowed the last six batsmen to score 376 and give his team the ascendency. In their total stay at the crease, the Albion Cricket Club pair faced 165 balls with Motie hitting six fours from 91 balls while Bramble’s herculean effort spanned 292 balls with 23 fours and five sixes which took the wind out of the Hurricanes that was evident when they batted.
Once the Jaguars can prize out the remaining Hurricanes wicket they may enforce the follow-on and look to push for an innings victory to have a Merry Christmas knowing that they have the title almost wrapped up while the visitors may want to be the Grinch.