Anthony Adams and his squad will come out blazing against Leon Johnson’s men when the first three-day warm-up match commences today at the National Stadium Providence.
Ahead of the match, the 26-year-old all-rounder told Stabroek Sport, the team was “just looking to play the best game we could play and for me I want to be a good leader to the other men, I think we have a good squad going up against Leon’s side and I think it will definitely be a competitive showdown.”
The left-arm orthodox spinner who lead Essequibo to their maiden three-day and 50-over titles within the last two years went on to note that the team is in good shape despite the break for the festive season.
“Most of the players, if not all the players are in shape because they would have been playing some form of cricket and training in the Academy everyday so I think our team is fit and ready to bring the fight in these two matches,” he said.
Adams will have the services of fellow left-arm spinners, Akshaya Persaud, Kelvin Umroa and Ricardo Adams as well as off-spinners, Jonathan Foo, Kevin Sinclair and Ramaal Lewis.
The seam department will feature Nial Smith, Clinton Pestano, Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed and Qumar Torrington.
Kemol Savory, Trevon Griffith and Tevin Imlach are likely to lead the batting with Foo, Sinclair, Ali-Mohamed, Persaud, Pestano and both Adams all capable of providing punishing knocks with the bat.
However it would be no walk in the park as Johnson’s men boast a strong combination. The returning Keon Joseph will spearhead the seamers along with Joshua Jones and all-rounders, Sherfane Rutherford and Christopher Barnwell.
The spinners expected in the side are Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul and Gudakesh Motie and Richie Looknauth while the batting line up will include Chandrapaul Hemraj, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Vishaul Singh, Anthony Bramble, Quintin Sampson and Raymond Perez.
The first ball bowls off from 09.30 hours with a minimum of 98 overs expected to bowl on each day. This is the first of two practice matches to be played ahead of the Jaguars’ Professional Cricket League Four-Day tournament opener against Leeward Island Hurricanes in Antigua from January 9.
