Rutherford, Adams make way for Reifer, Joseph

The Guyana Jaguars have made two changes to the squad to face hosts Jamaica Scorpions in the round eight of the Professional Cricket League/Digicel Regional Four-day championship, starting January 4.

Point leaders Jaguars have brought in West Indies Test all-rounder Raymon Reifer and West Indies A team fast bowler Keon Joseph at the expense of all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford and left-arm spinner Anthony Adams. Test leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo will miss this round, as he is still recovering from an injury.

While Adams has not played a game this season, Rutherford has appeared in all seven rounds and could count himself unlucky to miss out. Batsman Akshaya Persaud, who is yet to make his First-Class debut, has been retained.

This season, Rutherford has chalked up 239 runs at an average of 29.88 and picked up 19 wickets at 20.26, playing a vital role in Jaguars being the only unbeaten team thus far.

Scores of 45 and 16 not out in the opening game against Jamaica Scorpions at Providence was followed by career-best figures of 6-32 and a maiden half-century against Windward Islands Volcanoes in Gros Islet, and two more wickets in the second innings.

In Basseterre, the right-arm seamer and left-handed batsman followed up his 3-94 with scores of 32 and 22 not out, his second innings effort helping to take the Jaguars to safety- earning a draw- after they were forced to follow-on against Leeward Islands Hurricances. 

The squad reads: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Leon Johnson (Captain), Vishaul Singh (Vice-captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Keemo Paul, Anthony Bramble, Raymon Reifer, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Akshaya Persaud and Keon Joseph. 

The Jaguars, three-time defending champions of the competition, are on course for a fourth consecutive title, having accumulated 118 points, way ahead of second place Barbados Pride on 75.2. 

Jaguars are slated to play hosts Jamaica Scorpions from January 4-8; hosts Barbados Pride from January 11-14; and return home to face Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the final round from January 18-21.