The Leeward Islands Hurricanes were 32-1 in their second innings at the close of the third day of their Cricket West Indies regional four-day fixture against front runners the Guyana Jaguars at the close of play yesterday.
The entire second session at the Providence National Stadium was lost as eight Leeward Islands Hurricanes players were declared ‘medically unfit’ to take the field. According to Match Referee Reon King, the Hurricanes management reported eight players suffering from bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea.
King duly consulted the medical team at the venue who evaluated the situation and deemed the players unfit to take to the field at the time.
King stated that taking into consideration, the frequent nature of players requesting bathroom breaks, guidance was sought from the medical team. Ross Powell, who though not in the playing XI, was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre for treatment while Jason Peters was treated in the emergency Ambulance. Norman ‘Juiceman’ Welch offered his assistance when the players fell ill, picking fresh coconuts and providing the players with the water.
Neither the Match Referee nor the medial team could say what were the reasons for the symptoms.
Nevertheless, during the final session, all the players were on the field, with some 78 minutes of play lost because of the situation.
Entering today’s final day, the Leeward Islands Hurricanes need 259 more runs to win while Guyana Jaguars require nine wickets to continue their unblemished record in the West Indies Regional Four-Day Championships.
Earlier, Jaguars resumed on 76-2, lost Christopher Barnwell for 12, edging to Peters behind the stumps off of leg spinner, Damion Jacobs who also accounted for Sherfane Rutherford.
Jaguars were indebted to two half century partnerships as Rahkeem Cornwall ripped through the batting lineup to finish with 6-70 and complete his second 10-wicket match haul.
Jaguars lost wickets regularly with Cornwall trapping Anthony Bramble (18) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (40) leg before wicket. Chanderpaul was dropped on 38.
Clinton Pestano top scored with 46 from 87 balls, taking the aggression to Cornwall, 
who was hoisted into the top tier of the player’s pavilion, one of four sixes during his innings. Pestano shared in a 59-run stand with Veerasammy Permaul who remained unbeaten on 15.
Romario Shepherd (39) and Keemo Paul (22) also shared in a half century stand but Paul was bowled by Sheno Berridge at the stroke of lunch.
Hurricanes lost Kieran Powell leg before wicket to Paul with his side 16-1 and the Jaguars could have had a second wicket, had Bramble held on to a difficult catch from Keacy Carty who was on one at the time.
Carty was still there not out on three with Montcin Hodge, the other batsman at the crease on 17 not out.
Play resumes on today’s final day at 09.00hrs.
