Fresh off a thundering win, a restored Guyana Jaguars and the seemingly off-course Leeward Islands Hurricanes meet for the second time, as Group B’s action continues at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua & Barbuda today.
After easily whipping the Americans for a second time in the tournament, this time by 7 wickets in a low-scoring affair on Monday, the Jaguars turn their attention to the Hurricanes who are currently fourth on the points table in Group B just above the USA.
Veteran all-rounder Chris Barnwell, who seems to be making the most of his national recall, snapped up 4-35 and the MVP award as Guyana routed USA for 144 runs, regaining some momentum following consecutive defeats to Kent and Jamaica Scorpions.
Shimron Hetmyer is the leading run-score for the Jaguars with 224 runs
Guyana opener Chandrapaul Hemraj, who racked up more than 600 runs in the recent Regional Four-Day tournament, finally broke the limited overs jinx with his maiden List A half-century, a robust 64 piloted the Jaguars to 150-3 in 30.1 overs.
Now with the dream of achieving the elusive “Double” seemingly even closer, the reigning four-day champs will be keen on strongly disposing of the Hurricanes; taking further advantage of the wounds from the 148-run drubbing dished out to them by the Scorpions on Monday.
Keemo Paul has 12 wickets so far for the Jaguars
Meanwhile Leewards, with 9 points will desperately look to their replacements to fire following the departure of their top players; who are either with the Windies A team in Jamaica or are preparing for international duties.
Their batting will be tested against the Jaguars who have one of the most lethal combos of spin and pace at their disposal. Kacey Carty, Devon Thomas, Terrence Warde and Justin Athanaze who managed starts against the Scorpions will have to show a bit more responsibility today.
After being displaced by Kent in their fifth round match, the Jaguars are back on top of the standings with 18 points, but will be mindful of a possible tussle from the Englishmen who are now in second place on 17 points and the Scorpions who come in third with 15. While the two aforementioned sides will meet on Wednesday, Guyana in their penultimate group match will be looking for a clean kill to help bolster their chances of copping a finish in the top-two and a place in the play-offs.
While the Guyana batsmen have been ordinary with the exception of Shimron Hetmyer, their leading run-scorer and lone centurion; the bits and pieces for contributions seems to be enough to get their side over the line.
Barnwell and Leon Johnson who finished the previous game with 19 runs apiece, along with Shiv Chanderpaul, Hemraj and the handful of power-hitting all-rounders should be more than enough for a Rakeem Cornwall-less Hurricanes.
The last times these two teams collided at Coolidge, Keemo Paul bagged a 5-76, Johnson was run out for 99 and Hetmyer missed a fifty by three runs while Cornwall, who is currently with the West Indies A team, struck a century in vain for Leewards.
Today’s Group B Day/Night encounter at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, bowls off at 14:00h. (Clifton Ross)
