Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s 72nd First-Class hundred took Guyana Jaguars to 311 all out at stumps on the opening day of the day/night game against Barbados Pride at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, on Friday.
The pink ball game forms part of the fourth round of action in the West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League Digicel Four-day competition.
Appearing in his 354th First-Class match, the veteran left-hander held the Jaguars middle-order together, hitting an even hundred, an innings that spanned just 142 deliveries and included 12 fours.
The Jaguars had slipped to 148-5 with openers Rajendra Chandrika (11) and Shimron Hetmyer (60), skipper Leon Johnson (4), Vishaul Singh (40) and Christopher Barnwell (4) all back the pavilion.
However, the 42-year-old Chanderpaul added crucial runs with the lower-order batsmen, including 85 for the sixth wicket with all-rounder Raymon Reifer. The left-hander Reifer stroked 35 off 59 balls.
After the removal of Reifer, caught by Kevin Stoute off the bowling of Jonathon Carter at 233-6, fast bowler Kemar Roach struck a double blow in the 64th over, removing Anthony Bramble (1) and Veerasammy Permaul (0).
At that point, Chanderpaul was on 67 and in danger of running out of partners. However, Gudakesh Motie stuck around for 89 balls for his 36 not out, as the pair added 70 for the ninth wicket to frustrate the Bajans and take Jaguars beyond the 300-run mark and earn a bonus point.
Bowling for Barbados Pride, Roach ended with 3-47, while there were two wickets each for Stoute, Carter and Roston Chase. Barbados Pride will begin their reply today (Saturday) when play gets underway at 15:00h on day two.
