By Royston Alkins
Guyana Jaguars will have a tough sixth round assignment in the regional Super50 tournament when they clash against an unbeaten Barbados Pride today at Three W’s Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Pride, who has been enjoying home advantage, will have a slight psychological edge over the Jaguars heading into today’s encounter, having defeated the Jaguars in the opening round of tournament.
The match should present an interesting spectacle and despite the Pride’s triumph thus far, Jason Holder’s men will be wary of an improving South American team, that is prowling and in desperate need of a win against the hosts to strengthen claims for a semi-final birth.
The Guyanese had a torrid start to the tournament with back-to-back defeats but bounced back strongly since.
Leon Johnson’s men have since dismissed the ICC Americas and the CCC Marooners in their most recent matchups and the team will be looking to ride on the momentum gained from their three successive victories.
Coach Esuan Crandon, in an invited comment conceded that the team had a topsy-turvy start, but said it had rebounded nicely.
“Well, obviously, we weren’t up to it in the first two games; we didn’t play to our full potential but the guys got use to the conditions and used it a bit better. We basically executed our game plan better,” he told Stabroek Sport in an invited comment.
Skipper Leon Johnson on the other-hand, attributed ‘strong’ words from the coach as the reason behind the team’s turnaround.
“I think it might have been a combination of very stern words from the coach after the first two games and better execution of our plans.”
Johnson, who has been tactically astute while marshaling his troops, has also been leading from the front with the bat. The elegant left-hander, who spoke to Stabroek Sports yesterday, was quite modest about his impressive returns so far and had this to say: “It feels good to score crucial runs for the team, knowing that we need to win games after a bad start, and it’s about replicating or doing better in the remaining games.”
The Jaguars will certainly come out on top if they replicate their fine all-round efforts of the previous games. Looking ahead to today’s must-win game, Crandon indicated that the team was confident heading into it. “Yes, it’s a very crucial game for us. The players are high in confidence as we speak.”
The former fast bowler further added: “Winning three in a row is a great confidence booster for the team. That brought out more from the players. Their belief and trust has grown since and the guys are focused and we’ll prepared to do battle today. It’s about executing our game plan in a professional manner and fight hard on the day.”
A victory in today’s encounter will almost seal a semifinal spot for the Jaguars. The likes of Steven Jacobs, who is the tournament’s most economical bowler and an improving Ronsford Beaton, will lead the bowling efforts for the South Americans. Johnson, commenting on Jacobs, said, “His form with the ball has been excellent and he’s playing his role pretty well. He’s very important as we could count on him to dry up runs.”
The inform skipper and the dependable Shivnarine Chanderpaul will lead the Jaguars batting charge. Contributions from likes of Christopher Barnwell who looks like a big score is around the corner and the gritty Assad Fudadin will also put the Jaguars in good stead.
All in all, the team is raring and ready to do battle today and may have the services of first-choice wicket keeper Anthony Bramble, who missed the last game due to an injury. The team’s management indicated the glove-mon will return for today’s encounter if he pulls through a final fitness, this morning.
