GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Guyana Jaguars romped to their fifth win in seven outings in the Regional Four-Day Championship, when they crushed Leeward Islands Hurricanes by 10 wickets here Saturday night.
They restricted Hurricanes to 149 in their first innings after the visitors resumed on 114 for nine. After enforcing the follow-on of 268, Jaguars then dismissed Hurricanes for the same amount, before taking four balls to knock off the single run required for victory.
The three-time defending champions are yet to lose a match this season after drawing with Hurricanes last month and tying with Windward Islands Volcanoes last week.
Needing a big effort at the start of Saturday’s penultimate day to remain alive in the seventh-round contest, Hurricanes were rallied by a 35-run ninth wicket stand between Mervin Mathew (16) and Jeremiah Louis (12 not out), before being bowled out.
Asked to bat again, Hurricanes were then propelled by Akeem Saunder’s 101 – his maiden first class hundred – while Shane Burton struck 53, Terrance Warde, 29 and wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton, 23.
They were in strife at 37 for three when Saunders and Burton joined forces in a 91-run, fourth wicket stand to revive the innings.
Saunders, 23, faced 173 balls and struck 12 fours and a six while Burton counted six fours and six in a 100 deliveries at the crease.
When Burton was caught at the wicket off seamer Sherfane Rutherford, Saunders found an ally in Hamilton to put on a further 76 for the fifth wicket, and raise hopes of pushing the day/night encounter into Sunday’s final day.
Once Hamilton’s 84-ball sojourn ended, however, the Hurricanes innings fell away with the last six wickets tumbling for 65 runs.
Keemo Paul finished with three for 38 while fellow pacer Romario Shepherd (2-33), and left-arm spinners Veerasammy Permaul (2-77) and Gudakesh Motie (2-78), all claimed two wickets each.
