Ahead of today’s crucial top-of-the-table clash against the Leewards Hurricanes, Jaguars Coach Esuan Crandon said emphasis will be placed on reducing in-match errors as they progress in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Super50 Cup in Antigua.
Crandon told Guyana Times Sport on Saturday that due to the 30 extras leaked in the previous match versus the United States of America (USA), 21 being wides; it was crucial for the Jaguars to shake off any signs of sloppiness as they prepare to tackle much more dangerous and experienced teams in the future.
All eyes will be on Shimron Hetmyer for another Man of the Match performance for the Jaguars today at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CWI Media photo)
“We plan to minimize extras, especially in low-scoring affairs you don’t want to gift the opposition extras. It’s something we have spoken about even after the second game, it’s all about being discipline in the nets and try to be accurate and minimize the wides. There’s only so much we can do so when they’re on the field they have to execute,” said the Coach.
While the Guyana franchise side have managed to replicate their seemingly unbeatable form which they carried from the 4-Dayers, they tackle a unit which has not lost a game either and recently hammered a star-studded Jamaican Scorpions Side featuring; Chris Gayle, Rovman Powell, Chadwick Walton, Andre Russell and others.
“They’re unbeaten, we’re unbeaten as well, we have not played a day/night as yet we will have to make adjustments, and we will have individual plans in place for them. We have studied their past two games, they’re playing at home and they know the conditions better than us; but it’s about assessing the conditions and we’re expecting a keenly competitive game, hopefully we can put it together and win this one.”
While Guyana got away versus Kent and America, the Leewards are much more deadly and have matched the Jaguars’ performances by winning both of their games played against USA and the Scorpions. Both team have nine points however, the Hurricanes have the slightly better net run rate to sit in the number one spot in Group B.
With West Indies veteran batsman Marlon Samuels thumping a hundred in the last match coupled with knocks from Montcin Hodge, Test opener Kieran Powell, West Indies A all-rounder Rakeem Cornwall and out-of-favor Windies wicket-keeper/batsman Devon Thomas, all who make up the Hurricanes batting core; will play key role in their third day/night game at the Coolidge Cricket Ground this time against a lethal Jaguars bowling line up.
Guyana will rely on Shimron Hetmyer who clobbered a 69-ball ton in their comfortable eight-wicket win against the USA, along with skipper Leon Johnson who got a half-century in the last game; in-form opener Chandrapaul Hemraj who is yet to fire and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
Meanwhile, Crandon confirmed that veteran Chanderpaul who scored a match-winning half-century in the first game against Kent but was forced to retired hurt in game two after suffering some cramps, was declared fit for today’s big match after assessment from the team’s physiotherapist.
Also, all-rounder Romario Shepherd who missed the Jaguars’ second victory with a stiff hamstring is also cleared for selection today which gives the visitors a full squad to select their best combination.
However, the Jaguars will lose the services of Test all-rounder Raymon Reifer after today’s third round due to Windies “A” Team commitments who will be replaced with seasoned all-rounder Chris Barnwell who recently regained some form on the domestic scene.
The other match of the day is also a Group B match between Kent and Scorpions at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground from 09:00h who will both be gunning for an opening win after suffering in the previous rounds while the feature game of the day bowls off from 14:00h. (Clifton Ross)
