Jaguars wing out ahead of Scorpions clash

CWI/Digicel Regional 4-Day Championships 2017-18…

– Reifer, Joseph return

With possibly a fourth title already in their clutches, the Guyana Jaguars winged out to Jamaica on Tuesday as they prepare to face the home team Jamaica Scorpions when round eight of the ongoing Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Four-Day Championships resumes from Thursday January 4.
The 3-time defending champs have dominated the first half of the competition prior to the Christmas holiday intermission. The Jaguars won five of their matches comfortably, drew one against the Hurricanes and recorded the first tied match in Franchise cricket against the Windward Islands Volcanoes in round six.

Raymon Reifer returns after making his Test debut on December 9

Following the holiday season, players resumed their training last Friday and Saturday under some pretty murky conditions at the Providence National Stadium. The team endured the weather and put in some much needed practice before departing local shores in the wee hours of Tuesday, bound for Jamaica where they will continue their quest for a record fourth consecutive title.
Assistant Coach Rayon Griffith told this newspaper after the last session on Saturday at Providence, that he was satisfied with the conditioning of the players following a few days off to enjoy the season, while confirming that all his Jaguars were injury-free and rearing to go.
Griffith also said the players were in high spirits despite weather affecting their training time in Guyana, adding that he expects a firm performance from the side when they resume their title defense against the Scorpions.
As clear favorites to win the tournament, Guyana have not only battered the competition during the first leg of the Championships, but they have also ensured that even the second place team is not within a sniff of their overall tally.
After seven rounds of sheer dominance, the Jaguars despite a draw and a tie, sit pretty in the number one spot on 118.0 points, 42.8 points well ahead of the Barbados Pride who come in second place with 75.2 points.
The Jaguars won the first fixture between the two team in round one at Providence from October 26 by 263 runs and this return fixture will be a good test for the champs against a full strength home team that is fourth on the points table with 71.4 points.
Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul has so far spun his way to 41 wickets while wicket-keeper/batsman Anthony Bramble who smacked 196 not out against Leewards, comes in third on the run-getters list with 481 runs, the most amongst Jaguars batsmen.
The Jaguars are also happy to welcome Raymon Reifer and Keon Joseph back to the squad with three matches to go. Reifer, the left-handed Barbados-born all-rounder is back from New Zealand where he made his Test debut in the second Test last December.
Meanwhile, Joseph the Windies “A” team fast bowler returns after missing the Hurricanes game with a slight injury while Anthony Adams and Sherfane Rutherford are the players making way.
This publication understands that the return of Test leg-spinner, Devendra Bishoo is delayed since 32 year-old is injured.
Guyana Jaguars squad; Leon Johnson (Captain), Vishaul Singh, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Keemo Paul, Akshaya Persaud, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble (wicketkeeper), Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Romario Shepherd and Keon Joseph.
The team will have a full session on Wednesday before locking horns with the Jamaican Scorpions from Thursday January 4 to 7, at Sabina Park from 10:00h daily Jamaica time. (Clifton Ross)