A solid half-century from Trevon Griffith reinforced by Paul Wintz’ 5-for ensured the Guyana Jaguars completed a two-nil sweep of the Vishaul Singh’s XI who went down by six wickets in last evening’s 50-overs-a-side practice match played at the Guyana National Stadium.
Wintz was lethal and on spot with his right-arm pace which yielded 5 for 45 from eight overs while the left-handed Griffith weighed in with 60 from 99 balls inclusive of three fours and one six as the Jaguars reached 164-4 in 40 overs, replying to the opposition’s 163 all out in which they made in 45.5 overs.
All-rounder Ricardo Adams struck six fours and one six in his top-score of 48 while spinner Gudakesh Motie-Kanahi chipped in with an unbeaten 25 for Singh’s XI after spinners Steven Jacobs (2-34), Veerasammy Permaul (2-20) and Devendra Bishoo (1-18) lent support to Wintz.
Griffith and Rajendra Chandrika (42) started off with in a highly constructive manner with both players looking to pick up the singles and put the bad balls from Ronsford Beaton and Raun Johnson to the fence.
The two added 70 before Chandrika narrowly missed his half century after he was trapped LBW by Beaton which brought all-rounder Raymon Reifer to the middle. Reifer again failed when he was comprehensively bowled by Motie who was the pick of the Singh’s XI bowlers (10-21-1) without scoring.
The skipper came to the middle to partner his Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) teammate Griffith who was looking solid in his 40’s as Motie-Kanhai continued to strangle the batters.
At the end of his eighth over only 14 runs had been scored off of him.
Griffith raised his half-century with single as the Jaguars crept to 118 in 30 overs. However, Barnwell was unfortunately run out after hitting two fours and a six in his 28 but the Jaguars were already close to the finish line.
Berbicians Royston Crandon (11*) and Johnathan Foo (5*) then saw the game home in a subtle manner.
Afterwards the Jaguars batted on to complete the final 10 overs of the practice match as they wanted as much batting practice ahead of the Regional Super 50 tournament.
Earlier, Wintz scythed through the top order of Singh’s XI with his good length, removing openers Kandasammy Surujnarine (00) who was caught by wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble, top scorer from the last match Kevon Boodie (10), Robin Bacchus (05) both whom were dismissed caught and bowled and Chandarpaul Hemraj (05) who was trapped LBW.
Skipper Singh scored a patient 20 with one four before Permaul had him caught by Reifer at long-on and wicket-keeper Jason Sinclair (01) who was given out leg before wicket as the batting side slid to 84-6.
Adams, despite the collapse remained positive during his innings and continued to thump the Jaguars bowlers. As the left-hander neared his half-century, the off-spinning Jacobs managed to outsmart him and he was sent packing by the umpire after a successful LBW shout.
Bishoo snuck a straighter ball through the gates of young wicket-keeper Kemol Savoury who was bowled for 10 but by then Singh’s XI had raised their team 100. Motie-Kanhai and Beaton (18) batted like top order batters, securing a few boundaries at the back end of the innings as the Jaguars looked to clean up the tail.
Wintz bagged his fifth wicket of the match when Beaton held out to Permaul in the covers as the innings came to a close when Adams (03) was the last man to go after being pinned LBW.
