Super50: Barnwell believes Guyana Jaguars have “very good chance of winning”

Guyana Jaguars all-rounder Christopher Barnwell is positive and optimistic about the Guyana Jaguars chances in the CG Insurance Regional Super50 Cup, set to bowl off on February 7 in Antigua.

The Guyanese, without a regional 50-over title since the Shivnarine Chanderpaul-led squad won the KFC Cup final against Barbados at Bourda in 2005, are aiming to break the jinx this season, after three failed attempts in a final since the last success.

“It’s been a long time since we last won this tournament and we’re eager to come out give a good account of ourselves this year. I think we have a very good chance of winning,” Barnwell said upon arrival in Antigua with the rest of the Guyana Jaguars squad.

Prior to departure, the Jaguars were involved in three practice games at the refurbished La Bonne Intention ground, East Coast Demerara, and the 34-year-old Barnwell is confident they have prepared well for the three-week tournament.

“We had a few really good weeks of training…some very good preparation. Obviously the pitches in Antigua will offer more bounce than those back home so we will have to make that adjustment,” he reasoned.

Barnwell has been Guyana Jaguars’ most productive batsman in Super50 cricket over the last three seasons. His aggregate since February 2018 is 873 runs at an average of 45.94 with seven half-centuries.

His highest score during this period is 99*, striking in excess of 88. Only Jamaican Andre McCarthy, with 1002, has scored more runs than Barnwell during this period.

“I’m hitting the ball sweetly in the nets and my mind is clear. As an experienced member of the team I know I have a key role to play and we’re here to win for Guyana,” a confident Barnwell said.

Guyana Jaguars will open their campaign against Barbados Pride on February 8.

Prior to departure, the Jaguars players had to do two COVID-19 tests. One player- opening batsman Trevon Griffith- returned a positive result and was replaced by wicketkeeper/batsman Kemol Savory.

Upon arrival in Antigua, the Jaguars will undergo two-day room isolation, after which they will do the third test on February 2 and the fourth test on February 6, between which players will be allowed to practice as a group.

Guyana Jaguars: Chandrapaul Hemraj, Kemol Savory, Christopher Barnwell, Leon Johnson (Captain), Shimron Hetmyer (Vice-captain), Assad Fudadin, Keon Joseph, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Ramaal Lewis, Nial Smith, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, Akshaya Persaud and Tevin Imlach.

Management: Esuan Crandon (Head Coach), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (Manager/Assistant Coach) and Ernesto Campo Gonzalez (Physiotherapist).

Please see below match schedule for the CG Insurance Super50 Cup:

Coolidge Cricket Ground — CCG
Sir Vivian Richards Stadium — SVRS
All matches at CCG are day/night unless otherwise stated
All matches at SVRS are day matches
Day matches start 9am (8am Jamaica Time)
Day/night matches start 1:30pm (12:30pm Jamaica Time)