Cricket Guy Inc. (CGI) yesterday released their Guyana Jaguars 13-man squad, led by batsman Leon Johnson who will commence their 2015-16 Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional Four-Day title defence against the Windward Islands Volcanoes from Friday at the Guyana National Stadium.
Johnson the West Indies Test and ODI left-hander, led his team to the title last season after some 10 decades and was retained as team leader for the upcoming season. Vishaul “Cheesy” Singh, who has led the team in Johnson’s absence, was appointed vice-captain.
An ankle injury to left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul forced him out of the squad for the opening encounter paving the way for the former West Indies Under-19 left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai who was exceptional during the two practice matches to be included.
Off-spinning all-rounder Steven Jacobs, who last played a first-class match for the Combined Campuses & Colleges (CCC) as team captain, found himself back in the mix with his home team for the longer format and with Permaul injured and Devendra Bishoo on West Indies duties, the Jags will look to their replacements to provide the same potency as the two senior spinners did last season when they ended as the leading wicket-takers.
The surprise exclusion from the team is their latest overseas player, Barbadian Javon Searles who was not named in the final 13 despite a good showing in the two practice games.
He still can find his way into the team should a player be dropped for form or injury.
The other contract players and academy players will be used as Pay for Play replacements in the event of any changes.
Apart from Jacobs and Motie-Kanhai, the usual suspects Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Christopher Barnwell, Rajendra Chandrika, Assad Fudadin, Keon Joseph, Ronsford Beaton, Anthony Bramble and others regained their spots following good performances last season as well as hard work and training during the months of encampment while some made extra strides during the two practice games.
The squad reads: Assad Fudadin, Rajendra Chandrika, Leon Johnson (captain), Vishaul Singh (vice-captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Christopher Barnwell, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Steven Jacobs, Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai, Shimron Hetmyer, Keon Joseph, and Ronsford Beaton. The Coach is Esuan Crandon, the Manager/Assistant Coach is Rayon Griffith and the Physio is Beverley Nelson.
