Guyana Jaguars – The 592 Dugout

GUYANA JAGUARS ROAR TO FIVE-WICKET VICTORY OVER LEEWARDS HURRICANES

(Matche Report & Photos: Cricket West Indies)

Guyana Jaguars roared to a five-wicket victory thanks to a brilliant century from the bat of captain Leon Johnson over the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the CG Insurance Super50 Cup at the Coolidge Cricket Ground on Friday night.

The Hurricanes openers posted the highest first wicket partnership of the tournament so far as Kieran Powell and Ross Powell had a slow but steady start of 152 in 31 overs.

Ross Powell made 61, which included eight fours, but became the first victim for left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, who took 4-45 and won the CG Insurance Man-of-the-Match award.

Kieran Powell looked well set to reach triple figures, but on 94 he smacked a drive to Johnson at extra cover to give Motie his second wicket. The knock came off just 97 deliveries, with four fours and four sixes.

There was little resistance left as the Leewards Hurricanes finished their 50 overs on 244-9. Motie was the pick of the Jaguars bowlers while seamer Nial Smith had 3-47 also from 9 overs.

Assad Fudadin and Chanderpaul Hemraj started a cautious run-chase, as they posted 45 before Hemraj was dismissed for 24 off 22 balls. Shimron Hetmyer was run out for nine from a brilliant diving throw-in from Hayden Walsh Jr at point.

But it was the partnership of the most experienced players, captain Johnson and Chris Barnwell that took the game away from the Hurricanes. Barnwell was the aggressor, striking three sixes and a boundary on his way to a valiant 49 before Sheeno Berridge had him slashing behind.

Johnson soldiered on despite battling cramps. He eventually brought up his second List A century in style with a drive to mid-off for a boundary. With Romario Shepherd at the other end, the pair rotated the strike to bring home the Jaguars second victory of the tournament with 2.1 overs remaining.

Shepherd’s magic gets Guyana off to a winning start

(Match Report & Photos: Windies Cricket)

Romario Shepherd, batting at Number eight, was the talisman the Guyana Jaguars needed as he scored a high-quality half century in a winning cause. The all-rounder struck some lofty blows to finish on 58 not out from 52 deliveries, which included six fours and two big sixes as the Guyanese made 234 off 41.4 overs.

At one stage they were tottering 177-8, but Shepherd shepherded the lower order as the last two wickets added 58 vital runs. He won the CG Insurance Man-of-the-Match award.

Shimron Hetmyer also played well for 80 before fast bowler Jason Holder got him to chase after a high delivery which caused a mis-hit and he was easily caught by Ashley Nurse.

Hetmyer faced just 52 balls and played some stunning shots as he registered eight fours and four sixes. Experienced off-spinner Nurse was the pick of the Pride bowlers with 3-44 from ten overs, while skipper Jason Holder had 3-53 from 9.4 overs.

In reply Barbados Pride progressed slowly and were behind the required run rate when the first rain break came. This caused the target to be revised to 232 off 47 overs. At the second rain break the Bajans were in trouble at 91-5 in 29.3 overs. The heavy showers left the outfield too wet for play to restart and the umpires called off the contest at 9:28pm.

Kevin Sinclair finished with figures of 2-17 from 7.3 overs and showcased his cartwheel celebration when he took his first wicket, while Shepherd was impressive with pace and accuracy to end with 1-17.

Speaking to CWI Media after the match, Jaguars captain Leon Johnson said:

“We played today, the bowlers did a good job. Obviously ‘Hetty’ and ‘Sheppy’ brought their international experience for us … 235 is just about par but the second innings teams have struggled to past 190 runs, so we were always confident with the total on the board. We just have to take each game as it comes and it’s just about execution on the day.”

Griffith tests positive for Covid; Savory called up as replacement

Guyana Jaguars opening batsman Trevon Griffith has tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the Jaguars scheduled departure for the CG Insurance Super50 Cup in Antigua on Saturday (January 30).

This was confirmed by a source in the administration of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). According to the source, Griffith will be replaced by wicket-keeper batsman Kemol Savory.

The team will be captained by the experienced Leon Johnson, who will have West
Indies’ batsman Shimron Hetymer as his deputy.

Meanwhile, Keemo Paul will sit out of the tournament in order to facilitate adequate recovery from an injury, whereas, Sherfane Rutherford who was considered for selection, has opted to play T10 and T20 cricket
in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Upon Arrival in Antigua, a 2-day room isolation is required after which the Jaguars will undergo Covid-19 testing on February 2, with another scheduled for February 6 between which players will be allowed to practice as a group.

The team is as follow: 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 (Wicket-keeper), Akshaya Persaud, Tevin Imlach.

The team is led by Coach, Esuan Crandon and Manager/Assistant Coach, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, while the Physiotherapist will be Ernesto Campo Gonzalez. The Guyana Jaguars first game will be against the Barbados Pride on February 8.

Johnson’s XI beats Hetmyer’s XI by 2 wickets in 1st Jaguars practice match

In the first practice match which was played at the LBI ground on Monday (January 18), Johnson’s XI won the toss and inserted Hetmyer’s XI to bat. In a match which was initially reduced to 45 overs due to drizzles during the morning hours, Hetmyer’s XI reached 83 for 6 off 23.3 overs when rain actually put a temporary halt to play. On resumption the overs were revised based on time remaining, with Hetmyer’s XI having 11.3 more overs to bat in the match which was further revised to 35 overs a side.

Akshaya Persaud made an entertaining unbeaten 51, inclusive of 2 sixes and 3 fours, to propel his team to 152 all out off 33.3 of their allotted overs. Ricardo Adams supported well with a quickfire 47, in which he slammed 5 sixes and 1 four. The only other batsman to reach double figure was Vishual Singh with 15.

Bowling for Johnson’s XI, West Indies fast bowler Romario Shepherd grabbed 4 for 24 from 5.3 overs, while talented fast bowler Nial Smith claimed 3 for 22 from 6 overs. Gudakesk Motie and Ramaal Lewis took 1 for 26 from 6 overs and 1 for 22 from 7 overs respectively.

In reply. Johnson’s XI under the DLS 4 system required 143 for victory. Jonathan Foo was full of confidence, blazing 35, a knock which included 4 sixes, and one in which he helped to catapult his team’s score to a winning position, with team mates Tevin Imlach and Romario Shepherd contributing valuable
scores of 28 and 15 respectively, allowing for Ramaal Lewis and Gudakesk Motie to complete their team’s winning innings unbeaten on 7 and 3 respectively, as Johnson’s XI reach 145 for 8 from 30 of their allotted 35 overs.

Earlier, opening Trevon Griffith contributed 19, inclusive of 2 fours. Bowling for
Hetmyer’s, XI, Steven Sankar took 4 for 39 from 7 overs, Antony Adams 2 for 12 from 4 overs and Kevin Sinclair 2 for 20 from 7 overs. Leon Johnson’s XI won by 2 wickets.

The next practice matches are scheduled for Wednesday (January 20), and Friday (January, 22) at the LBI facility.

GCB vs GoG continues, GCB members banned from the National Stadium

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has imposed an immediate ban of the ‘Guyana Cricket Board’ (GCB) members from the Providence National Stadium citing non-compliance with the Cricket Administration Act.

This comes on the heels of statements from Minister Charles Ramson Jr. on Tuesday, in which he shut down a request from the GCB for the use of the National Stadium and also said that his Ministry does not recognize the GCB as a legitimate body responsible for cricket in Guyana.

**Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport: Charles Ramson Jr.**

The Minister was at the time referring to an article published in sections of the media that suggested the recently held ‘Bounce Back’ Football tournament which was held at the National Stadium had resulted in serious damage to the pitch area.

Consequently, the GCB hit back on Wednesday with a press release of their own in which they challenged certain parts of the Cricket Administration Act and revealed that they would now have to use the LBI Facility for the practice matches to select a team to represent Guyana at the upcoming Regional Super50 tournament.

Additionally, the press release noted; “The GCB has consistently objected to various aspect of the Cricket Administration Act based on strong and valid arguments. As a consequence, the GCB finds it disheartening that there once again appears to be political interference in the administration of cricket in Guyana, albeit that this time the interference seems to be ignited by Minister Charles Ramson Jr.”

Meanwhile on Thursday, the Ministry posted a statement to their social media in response to the ‘GCB’ press release.

It read, “As a consequence of a failed attempt to denigrate the Guyana National Stadium and to maliciously incite public disquiet by an illegitimate body purporting to call itself the “Guyana Cricket Board” by causing to be published images of the ground which have proven to be false, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports has taken a decision to prohibit entry of the members of the illegitimate body to the Guyana National Stadium ground with immediate effect until there is full compliance with the restored Cricket Administration Act.”

However, the Ministry noted; “being mindful of the careers of the players who will be participating in the Super50 regional tournament, we will, therefore, permit access to the Guyana National Stadium to players and coaches only.”

CGI to conduct Fitness Assessment of Guyana Jaguars players

With Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) preparing to bowl off cricket activities in early January of the new year, the Guyana Jaguars will lead the way with fitness assessment activities to be conducted on Monday (January 4) at the LBI ground.

The fitness assessment will be for contracted franchise players, as
well as potential Academy players. The assessment of the potential
academy players is essential, since CGI intends to contract players
for the remainder of the 2020/2021 Regional Cricket Season.

In preparation for the Guyana Jaguars participation in the
CWI CG Insurance Super 50 Tournament which will be held in the month
of February, the CGI franchise players will first engaged in
three practice matches at the LBI ground from 09:00 hrs on Friday (January 8), Sunday (January 10) and Tuesday (January 12).