PCL: Jaguars need 330 for outright win after first innings meltdown

By Akeem Greene

The combination of Kemar Roach and Jason Holder were a train wreck for Guyana Jaguars who were shot out for just 55 in 28.1 overs on day two of their day/night Four-Day match with Barbados Pride at the National Stadium, Providence, Friday.

Roach with 5-20 and Holder 4-24, then Kraigg Brathwaite with stubborn 84* have given Jaguars a monumental task of chasing 330 for victory in the top-of-the table clash in the eighth round.

Pride’s lead, which started at 119, reached 329, compliments of captain Brathwaite and some handy contributions from Jonathan Carter and Holder.

Brathwaite faced 180 balls and stuck nine fours and one six in another innings of great grit and determination.

Kevin Sinclair did the early damage, when he bowled both Shayne Mosely (15) and Sharmarh Brooks (6) which gave early hope that Jaguars could turn the tables.

However, Carter immediately went after Sinclair which saw his removal from the attack and Pride piled on the pressure as they found the ropes on a consistent basis.

Carter, who made an attacking 43 (6x4s; 1×6) from 65 balls, added 81 with Brathwaite after Pride were 29-2.

Christopher Barnwell’s nippy medium pace got both Carter and concussion substitute, Tevyn Walcott (0) leg before.

Kyle Mayers fell again to Keemo Paul, this time, a simple lob to cover and Jaguars were slightly clawing their way back in the match with Pride 122-5 and the lead 241.

Holder (22) added 38 with his skipper and Ashley Nurse made 19 as Paul mopped up the lower-order with a pacey late innings burst which he took 4-52 to end with match figures of 7-113.

Rampaging Pride  

Earlier, the five-time defending champions resumed on 19-2, with Shimron Hetmyer on 10 and Leon Johnson yet to score, however, the innings never got out of first gear.

Holder, who on the eve of the match voiced he wanted the scalp of Hetmyer, got his wish when the left-hander edged to Ashely Nurse at second slip.

Hetmyer was making a concerted effort to temper his aggression, playing within the line of the ball and lunging on the front foot to full deliveries, however, Holder drew him into a false short two balls before got one just nip away to bring his demise for 14 (3x4s) from 55 balls.

Next over, Roach sent Johnson back with a peach of a delivery on the off-stump induced an edge to first slip. Johnson had looked positive when he pulled Holder disdainfully for two fours in his score of nine.

At 33-4, Barnwell’s first scoring shot was a thick edge through gully off Roach whose precise line and length was most impressive.

The drama-filled first session continued to unfold in the 23rd over as Vishaul Singh charged Roach only to result in another regulation slip catch; he had failed to get off the mark after 11 balls and it could have been two-in-two had Nurse not floored Raymon Reifer.

Reifer’s fortune did not last long, as five balls later, Holder had him leg before and Jaguars stumbled to 39-6.

Barnwell, who was initially dropped in the 25th over, was run out for five off the said spilled chance as him and Anthony Bramble were caught ball-watching.

Paul and Bramble also returned to the pavilion cheaply, while Romario Shepherd struck a six and a four in his 12 from 11 balls. Day three action will start at 14:00h.