After the first season we spoke and said teams will get close to us and the last two seasons teams have pushed us and we came back stronger and I think out of the four titles, we played our best cricket this year.”
Those were the words of an elated Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson as he reflected on another stupendous season at the helm of the new powerhouses in Regional First-Class cricket.
For the fourth consecutive season, the coveted Headley/Weekes Trophy remains in the possession of Guyana and the Test batsman is optimistic about winning a fifth.
Captain Leon Johnson seated alongside Guyana Cricket Secretary Anand Sanasie and Cricket West Indies Director of Cricket Jimmy Adams and teammates and coaching staff with the symbol of Regional First-Class cricket supremacy, the Headley-Weekes Trophy
“This is four straight and it’s a good feeling since we put in a lot of work before the season start and it has paid dividends to the coaching staff and rest of the team. It is a job well done and hopefully we make it five next year.”
Guyana join Barbados (1977-1980) and Jamaica (2008-2012) as the only teams to win the title for four consecutive seasons and they also managed to replicate their 2015-16 season by playing unbeaten after ten rounds.
Etching his name into the annals of history, the Test player contended the feat ranks high on his pedestal of accomplishments.
“I think it is right up there, probably with sportsman of the year last year. It’s not easy to win four championships in a row. For this competition, I think we are most outstanding team and it shows since we have played unbeaten.”
One highlight of the Jaguars has been their comradery both on and off the field which has bailed out of some precarious situations. It meant individual brilliances were a crucial factor and Barbadian-born all-rounder Raymon Reifer has been one of those players whose consistency has been unmatched though he has only played three matches.
“We had Raymon from the inception of the professional league and he has picked up 80 odd wickets in four years and his batting has improved. He is a Test play now and still very hungry. He has learnt a lot as when he came he was a bit inexperienced. He is a good find for us.”
Next season is expected to commence October-November this year and the 30 year-old said they will reflect on the season since it was not perfect and look to address those areas. However, their focus now is on their bid to do a ‘double’ by winning the upcoming Regional Super50 title. (Akeem Greene)
