The Leon Johnson-led Guyana Jaguars will have their first test, one which should be significant, against new-found nemesis, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, from Thursday (January 9).
It will be a day/night, pink ball match in Antigua to start their campaign for a sixth consecutive title in the Regional Four-Day Championship.
Hurricanes have become somewhat of a headache for the Jaguars in the Professional Cricket League. Over the previous five seasons, Jaguars have defeated them five times, but the Hurricanes have won three times, with the other two games ending in a draw.
It makes for an intriguing battle in the opening round of the 2020 season at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.
Even though without the services of four West Indies player in Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford, the defending champions still have a reasonably strong squad.
The fast-bowling department lacks a bit of experience, but the rest of the squad have heaps of experience in this format.
It has been the said case in the past and Hurricanes have still managed to find ways to topple Jaguars, both home and away. However, in last match at the aforementioned venue, Jaguars came on top in a match that Hurricanes failed to reach 200 in either innings.
The stars for Jaguars back then were Romario Shepherd and Gudakesh Motie, who combined to take seven wickets in the first innings to upstage the fightback from Montcin Hodge and Devon Thomas, who both made fifties.
Vishaul Singh and Christopher Barnwell shone with the bat for Jaguars after which Veerasammy Permaul and Motie made the Islanders’ batting falter again.
For varying reasons, only Permaul returns from those listed who did the damage with ball.
Without Rahkeem Cornwall, Hurricanes champion player, a lot with depend on Test player Jahmar Hamilton and Kieran Powell, while Sheeno Berridge showed in the Super50 he has a big appetite for wickets.
The lanky pacer will have an insight into Jaguars’ batting unit who under-performed last season, but based on results from some practice matches, it seems they are out to make amends given how the margin of victory is getting close.
Given the pink ball is known to bring results, the statistics of win-loss ratio are bound to raise for either side. Match time is 14:00h daily.
Leeward Islands Hurricanes: Jahmar Hamilton (captain), Kieran Powell, Montcin Hodge, Keacy Carty, Devon Thomas, Jaison Peters, Jacque Taylor, Nino Henry, Damion Jacobs, Quinton Boatswain Sheeno Berridge, Amir Jangoo, Kezron Archibald. Head Coach: Stuart Williams, Manager: Wilden Cornwall, Trainer: Hance Richards.
Guyana Jaguars: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Leon Johnson (Captain), Christopher Barnwell, Vishaul Singh, Devendra Bishoo, Tevin Imlach, Keon Joseph, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Veerasammy Permaul, Nial Smith and Kevin Sinclair. The Coach is Esuan Crandon with Shivnarine Chanderpaul doubling as Assistant Coach and Manager. Neil Barry Jr. is the Physiotherapist.
