NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Leeward Islands Hurricanes produced a clinical bowling performance to put leaders and defending champions Guyana Jaguars under pressure on the penultimate day of their ninth round game yesterday.
Resuming the day on 61 for three in response to the Hurricanes’ first innings of 430, Jaguars were dismissed for 190 half-hour before tea at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, as the hosts picked up a handy lead of 240 runs.
They quickly enforced the follow on and at the close, Jaguars were 108 for two – still behind by 132 runs heading into Monday’s final day.
Captain Leon Johnson was carrying the fight for the visitors with an unbeaten 51 – his fourth score over 50 in his last seven innings.
The left-hander has faced 117 balls in 2-3/4 hours and has hit eight fours.
He was partnered at the end by the equally prolific Vishaul Singh on 16, the pair having so far put on 54 in an unbroken third wicket stand.
Johnson also put on 35 for the second wicket with Test opener Rajindra Chandrika (20) after Tagenarine Chanderpaul fell cheaply for eight with the score on 19.
Earlier, veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul and Raymon Reifer missed out on half-centuries as Hurricanes remained disciplined to get Jaguars out cheaply.
Chanderpaul scored 48 and Barbadian Reifer, 45, putting on an important 79 for the seventh wicket.
Fast bowler Gavin Tonge followed up his half-century with a fine spell of four for 37 while off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall claimed three for 59 and teenaged fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, two for 34.
Vishaul, unbeaten on 20 overnight, added just five before becoming the second of three wickets to fall in quick succession for just 14 runs as nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo (8) and Chris Barnwell (7) also perished.
Wobbling on 86 for six, Jaguars were rescued by Chanderpaul and Reifer who carried them to lunch without further loss at 161.
Chanderpaul faced 96 balls and struck five fours and a six while Reifer, also a left-hander, hit six fours and a six off 85 deliveries.
Both fell shortly after the resumption as Jaguars lost their last four wickets for 35 runs.
