By Akeem Greene
It took him 59 innings over a 13-year period, but the moment is still a great one to savour for Christopher Barnwell, who scored his maiden List A century on Sunday against Jamaica Scorpions in the ongoing CG Insurance Super50 Cup in Antigua.
With Guyana Jaguars 21-3 in the ninth over, Barnwell and young Akshaya Persaud, who returned to the team due to captain Leon Johnson’s injury, took Jaguars to 112-4 by the 28th over.
Against a bowling attack, which included West Indies players Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas and Fabian Allen, Barnwell cut lose and scored 107 from 90 balls, hitting four fours and six maximums before he was run out.
In October 2018, he struck a then career-best 99* against Canada, but a free-hit which he smashed over long-off ensured he got the cherished triple-figure mark on Sunday.
“Certainly in my top five; it’s was a wonderful feeling to get my first List A century,” Barnwell told News Room Sport on Monday.
Quizzed on knowing he had a free-hit opportunity to get to the mark and whether there were nerves, the 34-year-old, he indicated: “Yes, I just wanted to keep my eyes on the ball and make contact.”
The free-flowing innings, which continued his purple patch in now his fourth successive Super50 Cup, was one where he took it upon himself to be the ‘main man’ given his skipper’s absence.
It’s Barnwell’s eighth score of 50 or more over the last four tournaments; he averaged 45.94 over the last three tournaments.
“Yes, before the game the coach asked for a couple of players to take it deep in the innings, so me being the one of the senior players that got in, I just try to take it as deep as possible.”
Jaguars have now gone three on the trot and now have in their sights arch-rivals Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and Windward Volcanoes as their two remaining round matches.
Noting the century is a great achievement, the all-rounder said the bigger attention is on ensuring Jaguars lift the title.
“I just want to keep contributing to the team and help us to win the tournament.”
According to the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) player, the success he reaps comes from “like being positive, having a clear mind and hard work.”
Jaguars play Red Force on Saturday from 13:30h at Coolidge Cricket ground.
