Wizardry from spinners Raj Nannan and Steven Jacobs laid a platform for the Vishaul Singh XI, who seem to be on course for yet another win over the Leon Johnson XI as they maintained a lead of 87-runs heading into the final day of the Cricket Guyana Inc.’s (CGI) four-day practice match being played at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
The left-arm orthodox Nannan grabbed (3-74) from 28.5 overs while the more experienced Jacobs collected (3-53) from 29 overs, as they utilized the crease, conditions and carelessness of a few batsmen to get their job done. Amir Khan, Royston Crandon, Raun Johnson and Anthony Adams picked up a wicket each as the Johnson XI were routed for 293 in their pursuit of 349.
Former West Indies Test and ODI batsman Narsingh Deonarine grafted a watchful 65 from 175 deliveries with seven fours as he occupied the crease for some 246 minutes. All-rounder Chris Barnwell struck five fours in his 42 while wicket-keeper/batsman Anthony Bramble was left stranded on 43 (4×4).
Kandasammy Surujnarine (9) was unbeaten at stumps as the Singh XI team was 31-2 after discarded West Indies spinners Devendra Bishoo (2-10) and Veerasammy Permaul who picked up one wicket so far, imposed their wills on the batters at an early stage with their tails up. Today’s final day will be important for both teams.
With a lead of 56, the Singh’s XI openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul (12) and Surujnarine sought to extend the lead heading into today’s final day against the left and right-hand combination of the two spinners.
The young Chanderpaul tried to impose himself early by smashing Bishoo over mid-wicket for a boundary only to be outfoxed a few overs later by the same bowler who drew first blood. He comprehensively had the left-hander bowled.
Centurion from the first innings Shimron Hetmyer (7) then found himself coming up against the former West Indies Test spinners who were looking in ominous form and soon succumbed to Bishoo at the stroke of stumps on day three.
Earlier, Deonarine and Barnwell resumed their innings under the brilliant rays of the sun in comparison to yesterday’s overcast weather as the duo batted with merit adding 76 before Barnwell was removed by part-time off-spinner Crandon after he was caught at long-on by Surujnarine.
Deonarine and Barbadian all-rounder Raymon Reifer then added 25 before Reifer found himself flummoxed by the spin of Khan and was easily stumped by wicket-keeper Jason Sinclair for 9.
Johnson, who was on point with his line and length with the new ball on the second day continued with his responsible approach and was greatly rewarded when Deonarine mistimed a shot which inevitably found the waiting hands of Khan, leaving the score on 203 for 7.
Johnathan Foo (5), who was devastating in the first game nearly missing out on his first century was trapped LBW by Adams giving the Singh XI even more encouragement to go two up in the two-match series.
Permaul (28) who bagged eight wickets to help take his team to a possible safety zone was now asked to contribute with the bat along with Berbician Anthony Bramble as the last two recognised batsmen in the team.
A very quiet passage of play heading into the tea interval witnessed the Singh’s XI spinners Nannan and Jacobs, who choked the opposition’s top order yesterday, come into the attack. Picking up from where they left off, Jacobs removed a stubborn Permaul, who was caught at deep mid-wicket.
At 269 for 9, Bishoo (8) walked out to the middle with his team in all sorts of trouble in the first innings but stuck around and along with Bramble, who was unbeaten on 36, took their team to 279-9 at tea. Upon the resumption of play, the two Albion club mates dug in but were tested by Jacobs and Nannan who applied themselves using the crease to their liking.
Bramble was then unfortunately denied his 50 when Nannan managed to goad Bishoo into playing a shot across the line. He missed and was pinned leg-before which brought the innings to an end.
