Peaking Jaguars seeking redemption against unbeaten Pride
CWI/ Regional Super50 2017…
The Guyana Jaguars have managed to gain some momentum in this year’s Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Super50 tournament with convincing wins in
The form of Captain Leon Johnson has been one of the keys to success for the Guyana Jaguars’
their last three matches to move into second place in Zone B in Barbados.
Today they will once more face their toughest opponents in the group, Barbados Pride at the Three Ws Oval from 09:00h.
The last time these two sides met in the tournament’s opening match at the Kensington Oval, Jaguars suffered a horrendous 145-run defeat. Set an imposing 303 runs after West Indies player Kraigg Braithwaite scored his maiden List A century, the Jaguars batting simply imploded, being bundled out for 157 in 32 overs, with captain Leon Johnson’s score of 55, being the only fighting power shown.
Johnson’s form continued as he went unto score two more half centuries being the team’s leading run-getter and the tournament’s third with 206 runs from five matches at an impressive average of 51.50.
Veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been the preverbal “rock” of the team, as after missing the first match due to injury, he scored a century against Jamaica Scorpions then a solid 58 not out against Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners in the last match to average 181 from four matches.
Though the former West Indies captain’s contribution will be integral today, the rest of the batting needs to fire, especially the top-order. In all five matches to date, the Jaguars have lost their first wicket with less than 20 runs on the board, in fact in one match they were 14-4 against the Scorpions.
More so, the combination of off-spinner Ashley Nurse and left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn shared eight between themselves when the two teams last met and the batters will need to play positive against the two West Indies players.
On the bowling side, left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and fast bowler Ronsford Beaton has been the leading wicket takers for the Guyana based franchise. Both players consistency have earned them 10 wickets a piece and have gone below five runs per over.
The off-spin of Steven Jacobs, has also been a standout, though he has only taken four wickets, his economy rate of 2.77 throughout the tournament has been outstanding considering in four of his five matches he has bowled his full allotment of 10 overs.
However, the bowling department will once again face a humongous task of containing a batting line up that boasts several current West Indies players.
Braithwaite managed to score his second century of the tournament, in his last match against ICC Americas, taking his tally to 302 runs but only Jonathon Carter with 201 runs has been the other real consistent performer with the bat.
There is still the threat of Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich, Carlos Braithwaite, Jason Holder and Roston Chase, who scored 57 in his last match.
With the Jaguars having three more matches (including today’s) they are hoping they can secure a victory and push closer to qualification for the semifinals in Antigua on February 15 and 16.
The Pride are all but certain to qualify for the knock-out matches, leaving the next spot in the group to be a battle among the Jaguars, Jamaica Scorpions and CCC Marooners.
The Scorpions will be in action against the Marooners today as well at the Kensington Oval from 13:30h.
