Job not done yet: Sinclair on staking claim for Jaguars 4-Day spot
– Singh hails 1st practice match a success
By Brandon Corlette
Guyana Jaguars will have their final preparation with a three-day match January 2-4 at the National Stadium, Providence before the Regional Four-Day commences on January 9 in Antigua, against Leeward Islands.
Kevin Sinclair
The first practice match saw Johnson XI winning by five wickets against Adams’ XI. Speaking to the media after the match, promising all-rounder Kevin Sinclair and veteran batsman Vishaul Singh reflected on the first practice match and gave insights about selection and the 4-Day tournament.
Sinclair hungry for 4-Day selection
Fresh from a sweet Super50 tournament with the champion team, West Indies Emerging Players, Sinclair stated that he was hungry for a maiden 4-Day stint. Fresh from scoring a well-composed fifty for Johnson’s XI against Adams’ XI, Sinclair stated that the job was not done yet and he was looking forward to the second practice match.
Johnson’s XI
“I wouldn’t say the job is done as yet; we have another game and I am looking forward to that. I just want to be consistent, sticking all-round performances which will enhance my chances at selection,” Sinclair explained.
Reflecting on his fifty in the opening game, Sinclair stated that he had to quickly assess conditions under pressure.
“First, I was looking at Smithy (Nial Smith), he was getting the ball to swing, so I played to my strengths.”
After being one of the finds of the Super50 tournament while representing the Emerging Players, Sinclair emphasised on playing a consistent brand of cricket with both bat and ball –believing this would give him a chance at selection.
Singh hails franchise structure for producing young players
One of the senior statesmen in the Jaguars unit, Singh stated that the objective of the first practice match was to spend time at the crease as the wicket was not conducive to playing shots. Going forward in the Regional 4-Day, Singh stated that the top six should get big runs which will give the team a big total.
With Jaguars losing three matches last season but still managing to clinch their fifth successive title, Singh stated that the Jaguars were mindful of everyone else being on a level playing field. Shedding some light on the youngsters coming through the ranks, he said: “We have a good crop of young players and our franchise have employed the academy structure, which have borne fruit. We have seen players at the regional level for different franchises in the Super50.”
Singh, who made 47 in the opening practice match, stated that it was not easy getting out, with the team suffering a deficit of 47 runs. The left-handed Singh further said that the batsmen and the bowlers did the job in the second innings which aided in a five-wicket win for Johnson’s XI. The second and final practice match between Johnson’s XI and Adams’ XI will bowl off from 09:00h local time.