Permaul grabs 7 to leave Jaguars on the verge of victory

CWI/Digicel Regional 4-Day…

– 25 wickets tumble at Sabina Park on day 2

A seven-wicket haul from spinner Veerasammy Permaul left the Guyana Jaguars needing just 53 runs to wrap up a win over the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the Digicel Regional 4-Day tournament at Queen’s Park Oval on Sunday.

Batting for a second time, the Red Force were dismissed for 183, well short of setting up a big target to match the Jaguars’ first innings score of 330.  The Red Force got off to a poor start after losing opener Kyle Hope for a duck off two deliveries, when he was bowled by Raymond Reifer.
Isaiah Rajah joined Evin Lewis at the crease, and the duo put 44 runs on the board before Lewis was dismissed by Devendra Bishoo for 25.  Bishoo then returned to dismiss Rajah for 40, but then it was all about Permaul, who ripped through the team’s middle and lower orders.
Batting a second time, Guyana were yet to lose a wicket, with Shimron Hetmyer (2) and Rajendra Chandrika (1) expected to return on Monday to complete what is expected to be a fairly routine victory for the Jaguars.
Earlier, Guyana added 84 to their overnight score of 246-8, compliments of rookie Romario Shepherd (53), who registered his maiden first class fifty; and debutant Keemo Paul (27 not out), who batted at number 11 after picking up a finger injury while bowling for the Jaguars. The pair added 57 for the last wicket, to give Guyana a lead of 228 runs.
With a victory early on day four, the Leon Johnson-led squad will move closer to securing their third successive title.
An astonishing 25 wickets fell on second day, Saturday, as the seventh-round game in the Regional four-day championship between Jamaica Scorpions and Leeward Islands Hurricanes swung back and forth at Sabina Park.
Opting to field first, Scorpions bundled out Hurricanes for 71, with West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor claiming five for 31, and captain and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller 2-4.  Pacer Marquino Mindley (2-13) finished with two wickets as well.
Rahkeem Cornwall top-scored with 29, while the in-form Kacey Carty chipped in with 26. These were just two of three players to reach double figures.
In reply, Scorpions were sent tumbling for their lowest ever score in first class competition, being dismissed for a paltry 56. This score is less than the 71 previously recorded as the lowest score 28 years ago.
Seamers Jeremiah Louis (4-4) and Gavin Tonge (4-16) were the main destroyers with four wickets apiece.
With a slim 15-run lead, Hurricanes failed to capitalise, slumping to 31 for five at the close, to record an overall advantage of just 46 runs heading into day three.
Seamers Rovman Powell (2-3) and Taylor (2-16) bagged two wickets apiece, to keep Scorpions in the contest.
Meanwhile, Barbados Pride defeated Windward Volcanoes by nine wickets.