Head Coach of the Guyana Jaguars cricket team Esaun Crandon yesterday admitted that his team failed to tick the necessary boxes in both departments which resulted in Wednesday’s NAGICO Regional Super 50 semi-final defeat to Trinidad & Tobago Red Force.
The Jaguars returned home Thursday afternoon following Wednesday evening’s 54-run loss against the defending champions at the Queens Park Oval Ground, Trinidad.
During yesterday’s interview with Stabroek Sport, Crandon admitted that the Jags weren’t at their best in either departments during the semi-final encounter.
“Obviously we’re disappointed because it didn’t go the way we wanted it to. Also I think we didn’t execute well and we allowed them to score freely. We lost our way during first 20 overs because we had about 40-odd runs on the board.”
Chasing a score of 259 which was built on Darren Bravo’s 95, the Jaguars were knocked over for 205 in 48.3 overs. Apart from Captain Leon Johnson (20) and wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble (51), who added 65 for the fourth wicket, Crandon said he was disappointed that the other players did not knuckle down to see their team home.
He also said that the bowling department which has been tremendous all season, failed to come to the party on Wednesday.
“Apart from Bramble and Johnson no one else batted deep enough to try and win. Also in both departments we weren’t at our best, so we
weren’t able to pull through.”
The former national player explained that a huge concern for him was also getting the right opening combination throughout the tournament.
Despite Assad Fudadin returning to good limited overs form and Vishaul Singh scoring in practically every format of cricket he plays in as of late, the Jags were seemingly undone by the absence of a real power-hitter at the top of the order and the Coach admitted that more
work will be done during selections for limited overs team in the future to ensure that the best possible players are selected.
Nevertheless, the coach reiterated that the loss is behind them and the focus will now shift to final five rounds of the Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional four-day tournament which is expected to restart on February 12.
Guyana will resume the tournament by squaring off against arch rivals, the Trinidad Red Force at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence and the Coach said the defending champs will be seeking to pick up from where they left off.
“The first half of the four-day was good. There’s still light at the end of the tunnel. We might have lost the semi-finals but the guys are in good spirits and we will continue our preparations in order to defend our championship. I know the rest of teams will come bigger and stronger but we will be prepared for them. We’re just looking to win it but we are also looking to take it one day at the time,” said Crandon.
Guyana surged to 85 points after comprehensively winning their first five matches outright, the last game against Jamaica back in December. Barbados Pride are second on 63 points.
Guyana needs to win either two or three of their remaining five games, in order to retain the four-day title.
“We are playing for a lot of things when the four-day resumes. For us as a team we need to regroup because the important thing is to learn from our mistakes and we are all about learning and moving forward,” said Crandon.
“I’m disappointed about losing (the semi-final) in that manner because we really didn’t play well in the match. However, I highlighted those areas of concern and what we need to do to be a better team.”
The former Guyana pacer said with the title at stake he did his best to usher in words of encouragement to his team following the semi-final loss.
“I told them to stay focussed, because we are still one of the better teams in the 4-day tournament and I think we are more suited for that format”.
“I also told the guys to keep fit and train because some of our concerns in the batting department are at the top of the order and rotating the strike and we recognized that from the 50 overs.
Guyana Jaguars Captain Leon Johnson became the first skipper in some 17 years to win the Regional four-day title last season and Crandon lauded the 28 year-old’s role as captain of the team. “I think Leon did a good job as a captain very because he was instrumental in helping the guys together so I think he’s doing a good job with the team.”
The Jags will take a few days rest before resuming their training shortly ahead of February’s first assignment.
