Reifer returns as Jaguars, Scorpions set for contrasting clash

ꟷ Fudadin and co positive

Story and photos by Brandon Corlette

Fresh from a victory in their last round, table leaders and five-time defending champions Guyana Jaguars will lock horns against a bottom-of-the-table Jamaica Scorpions in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Championships. The match will be played at the Guyana National Stadium Providence from 10:00h.

On the eve of the match, the returning all-rounder Raymon Reifer and Jamaica Scorpions batsman Assad Fudadin shared their different sentiments. Reifer, who suffered a concussion in Barbados and missed the third round, is the only change in the 13-man squad which was announced at the very last moment.
The Barbadian is happy to back; he noted that the Jaguars need not change anything but to continue to play that good brand of cricket. “To be honest we are not too much worried about what people are doing; we are just trying to execute our plans as best as possible and let the result take care of itself,” Reifer stated.
With the bowling department in top form, especially new kid on the block, Nial Smith, Reifer noted that extra pace always gives the edge. “Smith is a good find for us; all in all, the bowling unit has been doing well and he has been a good addition to the team.” Reifer added that his fellow batsmen need to concentrate and get to that three-figure mark.

Meanwhile, a son of the Guyanese soil who is plying his trade for Jamaica Scorpions, Fudadin is happy to be home once more and he is eager to show his talent. Scorpions, who lost one match and drew two encounters, have 21.2 points in contrast to Jaguars’ 44.6 points at the top of the ladder.
Reflecting on Scorpions’ performances thus far, Fudadin had this to say: “I’m not going say things have not gone well, we are playing good cricket, but we are positive. We have to be more patient in each department to do well and execute well against Guyana.”

With Rovman Powell and Brandon King missing selection for Scorpions due to West Indies selection, Scorpions have brought in replacements. Fudadin believes that those players are capable of doing the job and the team is full of confidence.
In this fourth-round clash, the pitch looks green in covering and the seamers may once more play a role. For Jaguars, the batsmen will be aiming to craft out centuries. Tagenarine Chanderpaul has 247 runs, leading the way for Jaguars while Christopher Barnwell has 219 runs. Nial Smith and milestone man, Veerasammy Permaul has 16 wickets each in three matches this season.

For Jamaica, Paul Palmer has 262 runs in two matches while John Campbelle has 199 runs. Fudadin has only 59 runs in two matches thus far. Knowing the conditions at Providence, he will be aiming to score something significant. Nicholson Gordon and Derval Green has 10 and nine wickets respectively for Scorpions.
Guyana Jaguars Squad: Leon Johnson (captain), Vishaul Singh, Anthony Bramble, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Christopher Barnwell, Tevin Imlach, Raymon Reifer, Kevin Sinclair, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Keon Joseph and Nial Smith.

Jamaica Scorpions Squad: John Campbell (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Assad Fudadin, Derval Green, Patrick Harty Jr, Jamie Merchant, Marquino Mindley, Nicholson Gordon, Paul Palmer Jr, Pete Salmon, Denis Smith, and Oraine Williams.