By Delvon Mc Ewan
The Guyana Jaguars are being touted as favourites to defeat the Leeward Islands’ Franchise in their opening encounter of the Regional Professional Cricket League (PCL) which commences tomorrow at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.
Playing at home on a pitch which facilitates spin more than pace because of its low and slow nature, the hosts are expected to outplay the visitors in familiar conditions. As in the recent past their bowling is expected to be architect of any victory.
The Jaguars’ bowling unit comprises leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo and left-arm-orthodox spinner Veerasammy Permaul.
The two former West Indies spinners have 454 first-class wickets between them and will be spearheading the team’s attack. The pair was very destructive in their final practice match at the said venue less than a week ago where they took 17 of the 20 wickets for Leon Johnson’s XI against Vishal Singh’s XI.
Cover will be provided by emerging pacer Ronsford Beaton while all-rounders Christopher Barnwell and Raymon Reifer can add to the visitors’ downfall. Narsingh Deonarine can also contribute once called upon to deliver his part time off spin.
The Jaguars’ batting this time is expected to be better than on previous occasions especially, since the West Indies’ most capped Test player Shivnarine Chanderpaul is included in the side. He is expected to lead the locals’ batting and if he plays one of his usual innings then the visitors could be in the field for long periods.
Skipper Leon Johnson, Assad Fudadin, Barnwell and Deonarine are likely to use their international experience to play major roles with the bat and support the dependable Chanderpaul.
Meanwhile, with six of their players under 25 years and lacking experience at this level, the Leewards Franchise will have to adapt quickly if they are to upset the hosts. Skipper Devon Thomas will be the main man with the bat in the absence of West Indies player Kieran Powell, who has made himself unavailable. Their batting line-up also includes Austin Richards, Orlando Peters and Jahmar Hamilton who has two centuries at this level.
While their bowling includes international duo, pacer Gavin Tonge and leg spinner Anthony Martin, left arm orthodox spinner, Guyanese born Yannick Leonard could have an impact in these conditions.
The two teams have played each other on 35 occasion previously, with the Leewards holding a 10 to nine advantage while 16 games have been drawn and three abandoned.
The Guyana Jaguars- Leon Johnson (captain), Assad Fudadin (vice-captain), Rajindra Chandrika, Leon Johnson, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble (wk), Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Ronsford Beaton, Vishal Singh and Trevon Griffith.
