Jaguars last season big guns looking ominous

By Clifton Ross

The Guyana Jaguars’ boogeymen with the bat from last season – Chandrapaul Hemraj and Anthony Bramble – seem poised to continue their phenomenal scoring as their 3rd round twin hundreds signalled danger for bowlers going forward.
The pair led Guyana’s batting charge last season, ending as the leading run-scorers and tormentors of the opposition bowling during the 10-round tournament. Hemraj, who has made significant, strides into the Windies ‘A’ and eventually senior ODI team smacked a career-best, maiden 144 on Friday during the resumption of the 2018-19 championships.
Jaguars showed the star-studded Barbados Pride in their backyard that it was by no means a walk-over match as the defending champs racked up a whopping 500-plus first innings score. Hemraj, who was Guyana’s leading accumulator of runs with 623 to his name; unfortunately missed out on a few hundreds, hitting a best score of 90 as he ended with a total of five half-centuries at an average of a little of 36.
The Windies opener however made a strong return to First-Class cricket having been on international duties in the recent Bangladesh series. Hemraj stroked 24 boundaries in his classy innings; with 20 being fours and 4 being launched over the ropes as he paved the way for the Jags much-needed mammoth first innings score.
Getting the proverbial ‘Monkey off his back’ was crucial for the left-hander who could not pick a better time or demographic (Caribbean) to score his first 4-Day ton; especially with the big England series just a few weeks away. Selectors are now forced to pay much attention to the batsman who could likely stitch in a few more significant scores ahead of the two rounds prior to the start of the tour; thus pressing a case for his possible selection in the Test team while solidifying his place in the ODI makeup.
Shifting gears to the West Indies B team skipper and Guyana’s premier wicket-keeper/batsman Anthony Bramble; it is clear that selectors are high on his aura, especially after naming him Captain of the Windies ‘B’ team on a number of occasions.
Bramble was one of the Jags’ premier match-winners and scorers; his ability to thump the ball when needed or his ‘stick-ability’ during tough times, saw the Berbician smashing his way to 613 runs at a brilliant average of 47. The right-hander made his strongest impression as a big name batsman withstanding his 4 fifties, the Jags vice-skipper constructed a career-best 196 not out to further impose himself as a senior batsmen and one who could put his hands up when asked.
The keeper continued his rich vein of form in the longest format of regional cricket as he followed up Hemraj’s master-class with one of his own, crafting on Saturday to help his side gain an already massive lead. His second 1st Class hundred has also thrown his name into the mix of players who could possible find favour in selection for the upcoming England series.
Although Windies have a few players who could work the gloves, Bramble, should he continue his form and score a few more big scores, could be earmarked as a possible backup keeper for the likes of Test keeper Shane Dowrich or simply just be played as a middle-order batsman; given his patience and ability to score freely.
Other impact players from last season include Windies full-time prospect Raymon Reifer who also seems keen on continuing his batting form from the Regional Super50; where he stroked six fifties and was among the wickets. The left-arm seamer made his intentions known when he made a solid 75 with 12 fours against his countrymen; something he has been renowned for doing over the years when playing against the Bajans.
The dynamic Sherfane Rutherford, Windies’ latest trustee of power-hitting and flamboyancy also returned to the local scene after travelling the world since the 2018 Hero CPL. The left-handed bully has since been featured in a number of franchise cricket, played for the West Indies and was snapped up by the Delhi Daredevils ahead of the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL).
His runaway 54 from 43 balls included five fours and three big maximums; thus confirming his role in the team regardless of format is to impose himself onto the opposition bowling while scoring runs at a canter. Rutherford, like those aforementioned could easily walk into the Test team as a potentially good gamble and given his recent form; Windies could use a fearless power-hitting, seam-bowling utility player who could bat anywhere in the XI.
Guyana can certainly bide their time and hope for more of their batters to click as they chase a record 5th consecutive title and with a strong start as current table-leaders after the first two rounds; it seems applicable that their big guns could fire them all the way to the top.