An unbroken third-wicket partnership of 57 between Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Leon Johnson set Guyana Jaguars on course for victory over Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the Providence National Stadium.
At last evening’s close of play, the Guyana Jaguars required 93 runs more for victory on today’s third day of the 10th round pink ball match of the Cricket West Indies Regional Four-Day Championships.
Red Force resumed yesterday’s second day on 17-2 and batted diligently to reach 206 all out in 75.2 overs, setting Jaguars a target of 162 for victory. The hosts closed on 69-2 after facing 20 overs.
Jaguars in pursuit of their target lost Chandrapaul Hemraj who failed to score after playing onto his stumps as well as Vishaul Singh (05) who popped a leading edge to Tion Webster at point as they slid to 12-2.
However, Johnson stabilized the chase with a responsible innings worth 37 so far from 59 balls. The captain’s 56-minute stay at the crease saw him striking eight boundaries, including successive fours off of off-spinner, Brian Charles’ first over.
Chanderpaul, at the other end, was happy to give Johnson the strike. He mixed patience with the ability to pick the bad balls, eventually closing the day on 22 from 55 balls, decorated with three boundaries.
Earlier, Red Force opener, Joshua Da Silva, who resumed on 10 day was instrumental in two partnerships that ensured Jaguars bat a second time.
The 20-year-old first shared in a third wicket partnership of 26 with his captain, Denesh Ramdin who made 23 consisting of three boundaries before his bails were dislodged by left-arm seamer, Raymon Reifer.
Da Silva then partnered with Jason Mohammed to forge a 28-run stand for the fourth wicket until the opener was trapped leg before wicket (lbw) to veteran left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul for 25.
Pierre returned to anchor Red Force through a difficult period with a solid 30 from 89 balls after losing Mohammed who edged a delivery to Singh at second slip for 23.
Pierre was dropped on 26 but Odean Smith fell to the following delivery, holing out to Sherfane Rutherford at fine leg.
Jaguars felt the brunt of giving Daniel St. Clair two chances when he was put down 15 and 23. He is still there unbeaten on 31. St. Clair’s 56-ball innings consisted of four boundaries and was integral to the highest partnership of the innings, a 36-run partnership for the last wicket with Anderson Phillip. Phillip contributed 21 from 43 balls during his near hour long stay at the crease before being lbw to Permaul four minutes after tea.
Jaguars are currently at the top of the table with 136 points while Leeward Islands Hurricanes are in second place on 110.6 points with two matches to go.
The match resumes at 14:00 hrs today.
