Corlette’s Player’s to watch part 3…
In recent times, Guyana Jaguars has been producing fast bowlers that are making immediate impacts at the Regional level. Nial Smith was one of those players, but prior to his announcement, the likes of Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd have been standout seam options. Hence, Paul and Shepherd were in the West Indies squads.
In this presentation which is the third part of its kind, three young fast bowlers are examined. These seamers may have the opportunity to have an extended run in the Jaguars while some are hoping to play First-class cricket soon. Smith, Ronaldo AliMohamed and Joshua Jones are these players. Smith has already rocked the Jaguars colors in both the Super50 and Regional 4-Day formats. AliMohamed has played Super50 while Jones, the former Guyana U-19 player, is a prospective player.
Joshua Jones
A well-built figure, Jones has tasted success at the Guyana U-19 level where he troubled numerous batsmen with his express pace. Jones, who is now a soldier in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has been putting in the work. He is often seen around the Guyana Jaguars camp.
The lad from Essequibo, Jones has been a member of the winning Essequibo teams in both the Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) three-day and one-day tournaments. In the most recent CGI one-day tournament, Jones claimed figures of 5-18 against West Demerara, including a hat trick.
Jones remains hungry for a senior National selection, witnessing Jones at first hand in the nets, he looks a new and improved fast-bowler that needs to be nurtured in order to become a future Jaguars fast bowler.
Ronaldo AliMohamed
The former West Indies U-19 player, AliMohamed played two List A matches for Guyana Jaguars in November 2019. He has worked his way up to senior cricket during his time at the CGI Academy. The 21-year old, who played five matches at the Youth World Cup in New Zealand has been a dominant performer when he plays for the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC).
AliMohamed, a capable all-rounder, has proved himself on numerous that he is a capable all-round player. With bat, in hand he enjoyed a purple patch in the latter part of 2018 where he churned out centuries with ease. In most of the Jaguars warm up matches, he continued to show his ability with ball in hand, surprising batsmen with his nippy bowling. Certainly, AliMohamed is one for the future, if remained patient and discipline, he will be aiming to make the most of his opportunities.
Nial Smith
Smith made a big statement when he returned in the latter part of 2019, representing the Lower Corentyne team where he ripped through teams at the CGI one-day Franchise league. He then made it to the Jaguars Super50 squad but he did not had the best of outings. He played only two matches in the Super50 but in the Regional 4-Day, boy Smith was impressive. He took 20 wickets in seven matches including a six-wicket haul on debut.
He displayed great pace and he looked a dangerous bowler when he pitches the ball in a good length area. The lad from Tucber Park, Smith has also equipped himself with a deadly short-ball that often takes batsmen by surprise. With Smith already making a name for himself in the Region, he must remain focus to keep striving for greatness when he rocks the Guyana Jaguars armory. The 24-year old has the qualities to lead the Jaguars seam bowling attack in the future when the big names are on International duties.