ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Guyana Jaguars dropped points for the second straight game when they slumped to a three-wicket defeat to English county Kent, in a limp performance here Saturday night.
Only three days after suffering their first defeat of the Regional Super50 campaign, Jaguars found themselves on the losing end again, following another batting collapse which left them with a paltry total to defend.
Opting for first knock at Coolidge Cricket Ground, Jaguars were bowled out for 158 in the 48th over with Chris Barnwell, in only his second match of the tourmament, top-scoring with 36.
Tail-ender Romario Shepherd hit an unbeaten 30 while Veerasammy Permaul scored 24.
The experienced Will Gidman snared four for 29 while fellow seamer Grant Stewart picked up three for 16.
Kent, in reply, cruised to 109 for three in the 23rd over before losing a cluster of wickets which spoiled the dominance of their effort.
Gidman proved handy with the bat, scoring 29 not out while Zak Crawley chipped in with 28, and Daniel Bell-Drummond, 26.
West Indies leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo claimed four for 35 and pacer Romario Shepherd, two for 30, but Jaguars were never really in the contest once they under-performed with the bat.
Crawley and Bell-Drummond posted a comfortable 57 for the first wicket but both fell in successive overs with no addition to the score. When Joe Denly was caught at the wicket for seven off Shepherd, Kent were 72 for three in the 16th over.
However, Gidman posted 37 for the fourth wicket with Alex Blake, who lashed a hasty 25 from 22 deliveries with a pair of fours and a six, to put the English side in sight of victory.
Bishoo triggered a slide where four wickets fell for just 18 runs but it only served to take some of the gloss off the Kent victory.
Earlier, Jaguars found themselves in turmoil inside the first 14 overs, tottering on 19 for five after Gidman blew away the top order with a devastating opening spell.
Two key partnerships then helped Jaguars avoid complete disaster. Barnwell struck a pair of fours and sixes in a 66-ball knock, while adding 58 for the sixth wicket with Sherfane Rutherford (22).
When three wickets tumbled for 27 runs, Shepherd and Permaul posted a further 36 for the ninth wicket to once again revive the innings.
