The Guyana Jaguars pounced on a weak United States of America (USA) team to register a significant seven-wicket win at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Club ground, Antigua yesterday.
Winning the toss and electing to bowl in a 44-over affair, the Jaguars were spearheaded by medium pacer, Christopher Barnwell who found his rhythm to return figures of 4-35 from his nine overs.
New ball bowler, Sherfane Rutherford removed Sunny Sohal with just one run on the board but USA bounced back well thanks to Xavier Marshall (19) and Jaskaran Malhotra who added 39. Marshall’s wicket to Barnwell triggered the collapse as wickets tumbled around Malhotra.
Barnwell removed Mrunal Patel and Roy Silva, both without troubling the scoreboard and Timil Patel for just two while left arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul bagged the skipper, Ibrahaim Khaleel who also failed to score as USA struggled at 6-69.
However, Malhotra shared a 40-run partnership with Adil Bhatti which saw him bringing up his first half century of the tournament. When Bhatti was run out by Keemo Paul in the 38th over, USA had recovered to pass the 100 run mark, which seemed unlikely the way they were going.
Paul in his final spell removed Elmore Hutchinson (9) and Saurabh Netravalkar (3) to see USA folding for 144 inclusive of 10 extras.
Richardo Adams, who was playing in his first match of the tournament replaced Romario Shepherd and bowled tightly as he conceded 14 runs in his three-over spell.
Chasing the relatively low score, the Jaguars promoted Shimron Hetmyer (5) to the top of the order but he fell to Netravalkar in the second over to set the Jaguars on the backfoot.
As Chandrapaul Hemraj was paired with his regular opening partner, veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the pair set the record straight and looked keen on ending the match early. Chanderpaul was picked up by Silva for 39 and ended the 89-run second wicket stand with Jaguars on 94 and Hemraj three short of his maiden fifty in the competition.
The fall of the veteran did not stop the scoring rate as Hemraj pummeled Silva for a massive six over long on to bring up a well-deserved 50 and send Guyana past the 100-run mark.
Hemraj shifted gears and looked to accelerate by smashing Netraval Kumar for another six but fell to Timil Patel for 64 which consisted of four sixes and six fours.
Leon Johnson and Barnwell soon saw the Jaguars over the line both contributing 19 unbeaten.
The Jaguars will now head back to familiar territory at the Coolidge Cricket Ground where they will set their sights on a depleted Leeward Hurricanes tomorrow.
