The Guyana Jaguars yesterday named left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and Barbadian Javon Searles as replacements for Rajendra Chandrika and Christopher Barnwell ahead of today’s third round WICB/PCL 4-Day match against Barbados Pride.
Chandrika, who scored his first century at the regional level in round one against Windwards, will be joining the West Indies squad for the Australia Test series, while all-rounder Barnwell recently picked up a back injury and will need recovery time.
Permaul, who was replaced by 20-year-old Gudakesh Motie for the first two rounds, is the region’s leading wicket-taker for the past two tournaments, but missed the first few matches of this season due to an ankle injury.
He was however, cleared following a successful fitness test done on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Searles the second overseas player along with fellow Bajan Raymon Reifer, is a Barnwell-type player who brings the option of decent right-arm medium bowling as well good batting abilities to the table. If selected in the final XI, Searles will play his first match for the Jags against the country of his birth.
Today’s encounter will be somewhat of a grudge match between the two sides as Guyana may try to make up for their nightmare loss, last season to the Pride at today’s venue, the Guyana National Stadium.
Both teams will enter round three slightly weakened, with the Pride losing the likes of Kraigg Braithwaite, Jomel Warrican, Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich and Kemar Roach to the Test side, while the Jags will surrender the services of the opener Chandrika and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, who is currently with the West Indies team also.
With overcast weather springing its clouds over the past few days, Guyana should fancy themselves with the return of Permaul as well as young Motie, who picked up 11 wickets in the last match against Leewards. Off-spinner Steven Jacobs, is also in tremendous bowling form and will complement the two left-handers nicely.
A slight concern for Guyana though, is senior left-handers Leon Johnson and Assad Fudadin both of whom have failed thus far at the top of the order. Of concern too, is Reifer who had been good with the ball but like his two teammates, was unable to get out of the blocks with the bat. It is expected, Reifer will attempt to break the string of low scores at home before the team leaves for Trinidad in the next round.
A plus, however for the home team, is the solid showing over the past few innings by the in-form Vishaul Singh who scored 150 a few days ago and some resurgent batting from veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Jacobs and Anthony Bramble also played good hands in the last round as primary scorers for Guyana over the past few innings.
All eyes will be on Permaul and Motie, if both are selected in the final XI. Both spinners are familiar with each other having played most of their cricket together at Albion, however, it would be beneficial for the youngster, Motie, if he can feed off his senior partner.
Advantage will definitely go to Guyana, if Permaul can bag a few victims right at the start, thereby boosting his confidence ahead of the upcoming overseas assignments. Meanwhile, Motie had collected some 14 wickets in two matches and he too will be seeking to add to his tally as the tournament progresses.
Guyana sits atop the table, with 35 points from two wins but the next four days will be a battle for the top spot as Barbados are only 10 points behind in joint second place with 25.
Today’s match bowls off at 9:30hrs.
The squad reads: Assad Fudadin, Shimron Hetmyer, Leon Johnson (captain), Vishaul Singh (vice-captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Javon Searles, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Steven Jacobs, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Keon Joseph, and Ronsford Beaton.
The Coach is Esuan Crandon, the Manager/Assistant Coach is Rayon Griffith and the Physio is Beverley Nelson.
