By Akeem Greene
Guyana Jaguars and Leeward Islands Hurricanes are locked in an intense battle at the National Stadium, Providence, where 13 wickets tumbled on the first day.
Jaguars were bowled out for 196 just after tea, but jarred any hasty progression of the opposition by snatching three late wickets to leave Hurricanes 57-3, still trailing by 139 in the fifth round of the 2018-19 Professional Cricket League 4-Day Championship.
Akeem Saunders (15*) and Terrence Warde (7*) forged a gritty, and more importantly, unbeaten stand to quell the rampant defending champions. Both will be buoyed by history as Hurricanes are the lone franchise to defeat Jaguars twice since PCL commenced in 2014-15.
Seamer Keemo Paul, still steaming from his 10-for in the previous match, got the wicket of the in-form Montcin Hodge for 16 and then discarded Windies batsman Kieran Powell’s struggle for runs continued, falling leg before to Clinton Pestano for four.
Jaguars kept hunting for more wickets and Paul could have had his Windies Under-19 teammate Keacy Carty who was ‘fishing’ at a few too many. His fortunes ended when he went for a swipe at Veerasammy Peramul and Trevon Griffith completed a brilliant catch running from first slip to fine leg.
Though Griffith’s exploits in the field continue to be stellar, his rot with bat continued, falling for just two. ‘Mr. Patience’ Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Leon Johnson sought to repair the early damage and added 63 with good rotation of strike and boundaries at regular intervals.
Rahkeem Cornwall, bowling from the Players Dugout End, got one to bounce and turn which took Chanderpaul’s edge for a solid 22. Jaguars were 67-2 at that stage.
Johnson, who looked solid the entire first session, counter-attacking Cornwall with the sweep shot, fell six short of a half-century to Orlando Peters, who got some movement with the new ball.
Christopher Barnwell returned to his playing XI in the absence of Shimron Hetmyer and played an innings of notable characteristics- positive and free-flowing. There was a stage when himself and the in-form Anthony Bramble looked in total control until the latter played a rash shot against the menacing Cornwall.
After Barnwell reached his 10th half-century, thoughts were brewing of a ‘big one’, given his self-assurance at the crease. The reality was he was out to leggie Damion Jacobs for 58 (11x4s).
From 77-2 at lunch things got dicey for the home side. They slipped to 148-5, and with Sherfane Rutherford’s comical run-out, matters became worse. Romario Shepherd, who was unmoved in the run out incident then skied one to a boundary rider.
Paul attempted to rally the lower-order with a fighting 32 (4x4s; 1×6), but he too was undone by the brilliance of Cornwall.
Cornwall and Jacobs shared seven wickets, finishing with 4-70 and 3-15 respectively. The second day’s play commences at 09:30h and fans are reminded that admission to the venue is free.
