Jaguars roar to 219-run win over Red Force

CWI PCL 4-Day Championships…

– Crandon applauds bowlers’ brilliance

Story and Photos By Brandon Corlette

Guyana Jaguars defeated Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by 219 runs in the third round of the Regional 4-Day tournament played at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.

Resuming the final day on 122-6 in pursuit of Jaguars’ 403-run target, Red Force were bundled out for 183 early in the morning session.
Steam train Nial Smith ‘got the ball rolling’ by picking up the first wicket of the morning. He removed Akeal Hosein by trapping him in front for five, with the score at 124-7. Devendra Bishoo then removed Kjorn Ottley for 22, caught by Leon Johnson with the Red Force score on 154-8.
Milestone man Veerasammy Permaul, who bagged his 500th First Class wicket on day three, picked up the final two wickets of the innings by removing Terrance Hinds (21) at 154-9, and Odean Smith (14) who ran past one and was stumped.

The innings concluded with Red Force managing 182 all out, thanks to some lusty blows from the lower order batsmen. Permaul ended the second innings with 4-42 in 18.2 overs, including eight maidens, following up his 4-29 in the first innings. Bishoo ended with 2-39, while Keon Joseph who made the initial breakthrough had 2-15. Smith and Kevin Sinclair had one wicket each.

After the match, Guyana Jaguars Head Coach Esuan Crandon described the victory as a very good one for his team, especially after the defeat they had suffered against Barbados Pride. “Before the game, I asked the guys to come out and play good cricket, in familiar conditions.
“Unfortunately, the batsmen did not get a century, but it is not really a concern; but we want these guys to convert”, Crandon explained.
Crandon also lauded the bowlers for this victory, wherein they restricted Red Force to a small total; and he congratulated Permaul on his milestone.
After the match, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) also made a special presentation to Permaul, for achieving the rare feat. Territorial Developmental Officer (TDO), Colin Stuart presented the trophy to Permaul and congratulated the spinner.
Meanwhile, Red Force Head Coach Mervyn Dillon congratulated Jaguars on this win. He explained that his Red Force team did not play the best brand of cricket.
Jaguars have now registered their second win in three matches, and will battle Jamaica Scorpions for the fourth-round clash at Providence from February 6.