Jaguars include Hetmyer, Shepherd and Paul for crucial Pride clash

Guyana Jaguars have included West Indies trio Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd and Keemo Paul for the crucial eighth round clash against Barbados Pride in the West Indies Four-Day Championship.

The day/night, pink ball encounter will bowl off at 14:00h daily at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, starting Thursday (March 12).

Making way for the trio are wicketkeeper/batsman Tevin Imlach and the fast bowling duo Keon Joseph and Nial Smith.

The inclusion of Hetmyer, Shepherd and Paul is a massive boost for the Leon Johnson-led Jaguars, who have found themselves in a must-win situation against Pride to remain in contention for a sixth consecutive title.

A matter of 30.2 points separate the two sides, with Pride in the lead and Jaguars second overall.

Both teams will be well aware of the huge interest in this match. Pride have been the bridesmaids in each of the five successive title seasons for the Jaguars and this contest could have big implications for them and other teams too.

Jaguars currently hold the edge over Pride in the PCL era of the Championship, winning half of the 10 matches the two sides have played during the period, but the visitors have the incentive of a season sweep to further motivate them, having won the second round match this season.

Squads:

JAGUARS (from): Leon Johnson (captain), Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetmyer, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Veerasammy Permaul, Akshaya Persaud, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Vishaul Singh

IN–Hetmyer, Paul, Shepherd; OUT–Tevin Imlach, Keon Joseph, Nial Smith

PRIDE (from): Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Shane Dowrich, Justin Greaves, Keon Harding, Chemar Holder, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Jomel Warrican

IN–Carter, Holder, Roach; OUT–Dominic Drakes, Kevin Stoute, Tevyn Walcott

UMPIRES: Nigel Duguid, Deighton Butler

MATCH REFEREE: Reon King

RESERVE UMPIRE: Nandkumar Shivsankar

The other two round eight matches would see Red Force against Volcanoes at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad, and Hurricanes against Scorpions at the Sir Vivian Richards ground in North Sound, Antigua.

RED FORCE (from): Imran Khan (captain), Bryan Charles, Cephas Cooper, Joshua da Sil­va, Jyd Goolie, Kyle Hope, Akeal Ho­sein, Jason Mohammed, Uth­man Muhammad, Khary Pierre, Anderson Phillip, Isaiah Rajah, Daniel St. Clair

IN–Bravo, Hinds; OUT–Bryan Charles, Khary Pierre

VOLCANOES (from): Sunil Ambris (captain), Roland Cato, Keron Cottoy, Kenneth Dember, Larry Edward, Andre Fletcher, Kavem Hodge, Ryan John, Obed McCoy, Preston McSween, Kimani Melius, Devon Smith, Emmanuel Stewart

IN–McCoy; OUT–Shermon Lewis

UMPIRES: Lyndon Rajkumar, Patrick Gustard (Jamaica)

MATCH REFEREE: Hayden Bruce

RESERVE UMPIRE: Kellman Kowlessar

HURRICANES (from): Jahmar Hamilton (captain), Keacy Carty, Montcin Hodge, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Jeremiah Louis, Kian Pemberton, Jaison Peters, Kieran Powell, Ross Powell, Akeem Saunders, Hayden Walsh Jr, Terance Warde

IN–Joseph, Peters, Walsh; OUT–Sheno Berridge, Rahkeem Cornwall, Adelvin Phillip

SCORPIONS (from): John Campbell (captain), Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Gordon Bryan, Derval Green, Patrick Harty Jr, Andre McCarthy, Jamie Merchant, Marquino Mindley, Paul Palmer Jr, Denis Smith, Alwyn Williams, Oraine Williams

IN–McCarthy; OUT–Dennis Bulli

UMPIRES: Danesh Ramdhanie (Trinidad & Tobago), Leslie Reifer Jr (Barbados)

MATCH REFEREE: Vanroy Burnes

RESERVE UMPIRE: Bernard Joseph