WI/PCL Regional 4-Day Championships…
-as Jaguars, Hurricanes engage in serious tussle
Story and Photos by Brandon Corlette
Senior Guyana Jaguars batsman Vishual Singh has missed out on his second century in this tournament, falling for 90 as Jaguars posted 261 all out in 107.5 overs on the second day of their seventh-round clash against Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the West Indies Regional 4-Day Championships.
Resuming the day on 115-4, Singh pressed on from his overnight score of 53, but fell short of a well-deserved century by ten runs. His was the sixth Jaguars wicket to fall – as he edged a delivery from Louis to the keeper. The left-hander’s innings spanned just over two hours, during which he faced 229 balls and produced six boundaries.
Singh’s teammate Raymon Reifer had looked organized in his composed innings of 43 from 125 balls, but his was the first wicket to fall on the second day. Reifer, who hit six fours, added 93 runs for the fifth wicket with Singh. At 192-5, right-arm fast bowler Jerimiah Louis then made inroads into the Jaguars line-up, causing the Jaguars to find themselves at 198-7 by lunch.
Kevin Sinclair, who continued to experience difficulty with the bat this season, was bowled all ends up by Louis for a second-ball duck.
Anthony Bramble, batting with urgency as he hit fours with ease and grace, was dismissed for a shot-filled 23 from 29 balls. He was Louis’s fourth victim.
The Albion spin twins of Gudakesh Motie and Veerasammy Permaul added 36 runs together for the ninth wicket. Motie made a useful 37-ball 15, but departed with the score at 255-9. Nial Smith was the final Jaguars batsman dismissed: trapped by the lively right-arm speedster Kian Pemberton with the score at 259.
Louis ended with 4-48 in 26 overs, including seven maidens, while Rahkeem Cornwall claimed 4-96 in 39 overs. Pemberton, a former West Indies youth player playing his second first-class match, picked up his first two wickets at this level, ending on 2-53 in 16.5 overs.
With tension high in the country, a mere 10 spectators were in the Red Stand at the National Stadium at Providence to witness the proceedings.
HURRICANES START BREWING
Hurricanes openers Montcin Hodge and Kieran Powell negotiated well to tea with the score on 10-0. Permaul took the first wicket – Powell’s – with the score at 26-1; the left-arm spinner bowling the former Test opener for 13 after he had hit three fours. ‘New kid on the block’ Ross Powell was trapped in front by Kevin Sinclair, who extracted turn and bounce. Having beaten the left-hander’s bat on multiple occasions, Sinclair sent the young Powell back to the hut for six, with the score on 40-2 in 19.1 overs.
Amir Jangoo and Hodge, looking solid, ensured no further hiccups for the remainder of the session; and at stumps, Hurricanes were 73-2, trailing by 188 runs, with Montcin Hodge unbeaten on 21 and Amir Jangoo on 22. The third day’s play is expected to commence from 9:30h today.