Home Sports “We are pretty much there” — Asst Coach/Manager Shivnarine Chanderpaul says of...
— Jaguars oppose Scorpions in today’s fixture
By Brandon Corlette
Guyana Jaguars’ Assistant Coach/Manager, the legendary Shivnarine Chanderpaul, has said the Guyana Jaguars have been putting in the work behind closed doors, and are focused in this CG Insurance Regional Super50 Cup. 
“With what’s going on with COVID around, it’s been very tight working together. It’s not much you can do, but we still find ways to get things done. We did some research in room and a lot of zoom meetings to prepare ourselves, and being at home, the guys have been doing a lot of work. I am thinking we are pretty much there,” Chanderpaul told Cricket West Indies media in a recent interview.
The Guyana Jaguars would be concentrating on registering a winning performance against the Jamaica Scorpions, whom they confront today (Sunday February 14) from 13:30h. Going into this encounter, Leon Johnson and his team would be confident of victory after recording two wins in as many matches, while the Scorpions would be searching to chalk up their first win in this Regional Super50 Cup.
With eight points on the board, table leaders Jaguars are fresh from a 5-wicket win on the back of Johnson’s century and Gudakesh Motie’s player-of-the-match performance of 4-45. The last time Jaguars and Scorpions met in a Suer50 contest, Johnson scored a century; and with confidence behind him, he will be looking to extend that form.
Of the last five matches played between these teams, Scorpions won three while Guyana won two. The Jaguars have had some good batting performances, and openers Assad Fudadin and Chandrapaul Hemraj would be aiming to build on their starts and contribute significantly.
Shimron Hetmyer has looked sublime in the first match, Johnson is fresh from a century, Christopher Barnwell is finding his usual groove, and Romario Shepherd is yet to be dismissed in this tournament. These are ominous signs, and given all these batsmen click, the Scorpions would be mauled.
Anthony Bramble has been out of form, but he would be looking to ‘come good’ in this match.
Jaguars’ bowling has held its own, with pacers Shepherd and Nial Smith showing good signs, while the spin group of Motie, Kevin Sinclair, Ramaal Lewis and Chandrapaul Hemraj have had good outings.
Meanwhile, the Scoprions would be relying on the likes of Brandon King, who is fresh from a 97; senior players in Rovman Powell, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre McCarthy, Fabian Allen and out-of-favour pacer Oshane Thomas.
Fudadin would be well acquainted with the Scorpions outfit, and after ordinary performances in the two previous matches, he would be aiming to score some runs.
Jamaica Scorpions squad reads: Rovman Powell (captain), Derval Green (vice-captain), Aldaine Thomas, Oshane Thomas, Brandon King, Paul Palmer, Fabian Allen, Jamie Merchant, Jeavor Royal, Odean Smith, Sheldon Cottrell, Dennis Bulli, Javelle Glenn, Romaine Morris, and Andre McCarthy.
Guyana Jaguars squad reads: Leon Johnson (captain), Shimron Hetmyer (vice-captain), Assad Fudadin, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Kemol Savory, Christopher Barnwell, Keon Joseph, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Ramaal Lewis, Nial Smith, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, Akshaya Persaud and Tevin Imlach.
