By Clifton Ross in Barbados
After romping to six consecutive wins in the 2015/16 Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional Four Day tourney, Guyana Jaguars Head Coach Esuan Crandon says he expects a keen contest over the next few days between his team and the Barbados Pride, who clash in round seven today at the Kensington Oval Ground, Barbados.
It will be a tussle for the top as Guyana who are on 101 points from six games, will be seeking to continue their undefeated streak against the Pride who are in second place with 82 points. Following the 105-run hammering they handed the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in round six which ended on Monday in Guyana, it seems that the visitors will be using their form and momentum to get the better of the Bajans.
According to Crandon who spoke with Stabroek Sport late last evening in Barbados, the table leaders are pumped up following their spectacular unbeaten run this season but said they will not allow complacency to step in, especially against thePride who are on 82 points in their backyard.
“The Jags are anticipating a very competitive matchup against the Pride because they a very good team on paper especially in the batting department. They have guys who represent the West Indies”, said Crandon who declined to reveal any plans for the match but added that the aim was just to play better cricket.
Guyana were threatened by the Red Force in the first innings before skipper Leon Johnson and Vishaul Singh weighed in with tons. The trio of spinners: Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie and Devendra Bishoo then caused nightmares for the Trinidad batsmen. Crandon lauded his team’s execution during the match and was optimistic that they will take the same momentum into the next four days.
“I thought we executed well because we didn’t start well but we recovered. I think the bowlers did well to restrict Trinidad under 200 runs and then we batted well to set up the game quite nicely with the bowlers finishing it off”, he said, adding that “Barbados has different conditions; Barbados has a bit more pace and bounce so we will have to make the necessary adjustments”.
He continued, “I know they will come hard at us with the seamers they have but I think if we stand up and bat well against them and put a good total on the board the bowlers could do well for us”, said the former national player.
Both sides have quality batsmen and bowlers with tons of experience. Four batsmen, two from the Jaguars and two from the Pride currently lead the batting charge with the most runs. The left-handed Singh has scored 548 runs this season with three tons while Chase comes in at second place with 476, with his fellow Pride teammate Shamarh Brooks at third with 429 runs and the Jaguars skipper Johnson, who scored his third first-class hundred on Sunday fourth with 409 runs.
As for the bowlers, Bajan pacer Miguel Cummins has already bagged 24 wickets from six matches but has a lot of catching up to do in order to topple Permaul (26) and Guyana’s leading wicket-taker Motie who has 36 scalps from just six games.
The match begins at 9:30hrs
