Chandrapaul Hemraj (left) and Anthony Bramble
Guyana Jaguars lost their first six wickets before tea on the opening day against Jamaica Scorpions but recovered well by stumps on Thursday when the Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-day tournament commenced at Providence.
Sent in to take first strike, Guyana Jaguars, the three-time defending champions, were reduced to 148-6 before Anthony Bramble and Sherfane Rutherford went about repairing the innings. They shared a seventh wicket partnership of 83 that prevented the reigning champions from being skittled out for a paltry score on a generally overcast day.
Jaguars closed on 258-8 with Romario Shepherd not out on 18 and Veerasammy Permaul yet to score.
Bramble, one of the senior players in a highly inexperienced Guyana side, made 62, while the left-handed Rutherford, who has been in good form recently, scored a measured 45 before being dismissed just before the close.
Earlier, Chandrapaul Hemraj, sent in to bat at the crucial number three spot, made a solid 60, inclusive of seven fours and a six. His innings spanned 179 minutes and 101 balls.
The other batsmen all failed to get starts or carry on as Scorpions made early inroads. Test batsman Rajendra Chandrika fell for 25, while fellow opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul made 14. Skipper Leon Johnson, batting at four, scored 20, while Bhaskar Yadram made nought and Keemo Paul 12.
Bowling for Scorpions, Damani Sewell took three wickets, while Dennis Bulli and Derval Green took two apiece. Play on day two on Friday will commence at 09:30h and admission to the venue is free.
