Permaul’s 5-for solidifies Jaguars’ performance on penultimate day

2018-2019 CWI Regional 4-Day Tournament…
– Singh perishes for 90

By Brandon Corlette

Four-time defending champions, Guyana Jaguars, continue to dominate the 2018-2019 CWI Regional 4-Day tournament, with Veerasammy Permaul being the star performer, picking up his 26th First Class five- wicket haul as the Leeward Islands Hurricanes struggle at 130-7, with a small lead of 23.
High quality cricket continued to be played under brilliant sunshine between the Guyana Jaguars and the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Resuming the penultimate day on 215-5, Jaguars leading batsman this season, Vishaul Singh, continued with Anthony Bramble in the first session. Singh was overnight on 68, while his batting partner Bramble was unbeaten on 11.

The pair cautiously batted until the Hurricanes removed Bramble for 25. At 246-6, the 49-run partnership between Singh and Bramble was broken by Berridge, who bowled at a lively pace.

Singh carried on his merry way with sensible batting, being partnered by Romario Shepherd; but when he crept into the nervous nineties, he fell to a loose delivery from Rahkeem Cornwall. At 90, he was out caught at short third-man with the score on 255-7.

Batting with a survival mindset, Shepherd stood up to some fairly good bowling by the Hurricanes, although he found it difficult to score runs freely. The Jaguars were already ahead of the game, entering the day with a 33-run lead, upon which their batsmen built.

Hurricanes captain, Devon Thomas, took the new ball, and runs were leaked as the bowlers produced extras. However, Permaul miscommunicated with Shepherd and was run out by Chandrika for a single. Gudakesh Motie fell cheaply, being Cornwall’s fourth victim; while Shepherd was the final Jaguars batsman to be dismissed — for 18 — when Alzari Joseph uprooted his stumps.

Cornwall was the best Hurricanes bowler, with figures of 4 for 48 in 29 overs; while Beeridge captured 2 for 53. The Guyana Jaguars finished on 289 all out in 115.5 overs, having gained a lead of 107.

Hurricanes were immediately under pressure, losing opening batsman Chandrika, who had suffered an injury while fielding. He was rushed to the hospital and was unable to open the batting.

Jaguars Captain, Leon Johnson, decided to open the bowling with the ace spinner Permaul, as the Hurricanes opener had to face one over before lunch. First innings’ half-centurion Montcin Hodge was partnered by Keacy Carty, and the pair piled on 40 runs for the opening partnership.

Veerasammy Permaul struck gold in removing Carty for a watchful 23, and Hodge for15 soon after. The seasoned left-arm spinner, who dominates at the Regional level, continued to pick up wickets at regular intervals. Devon Thomas was his third victim, caught for a single run with the score on 57 for 3.

Permaul’s Albion teammate Gudkesh Motie got into the wicket-taking act and destroyed the stumps of Akeem Saunders after he had scored 17.

Orlando Peters (08), Damion Jacobs (zero), and Rahkeem Cornwall (27) failed to offer significant resistance to Permaul, who ended the day on 5-49 in 24 overs, inclusive of 6 maidens; while Romario Shepherd and Gudakesh Motie took one wicket each in restricting the Hurricanes to 130-7 in 56 overs.

The Hurricanes have a slim lead of 23, but the Jaguars will be hoping to wrap up the remaining wickets in the morning session. They will be seeking to chase a small target to complete their second victory in as many matches.

The final day’s play is scheduled for 10:00h Eastern Caribbean Time, and a humdinger of a match is anticipated.