Half centuries from Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Christopher Barnwell and Anthony Bramble gave the Guyana Jaguars a slim advantage over the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force yesterday.
Day one of the third-round, West Indies Championship match at the National Stadium, Providence saw the Jaguars closing the day on 263 for 6 after winning the toss and opting to bat.
Chanderpaul once again was unwavering in his approach to the Red Force bowlers as he toiled for 251 balls before edging a catch to wicketkeeper, Joshua Da Silva 10 minutes to stumps. The left-handed opener made 68, studded with nine boundaries while sharing in two half-century partnerships.
The 23-year-old lost his opening partner, Chandrapaul Hemraj for 36 after he chopped a delivery from Brian Charles onto his stumps. Hemraj looked aggressive against the seamers, particularly Odean Smith who was carved for three of Hemraj’s half dozen fours in the third over.
Chanderpaul, who stroked his third fifty of the season and 10th at this level, went on to forge a 31-run stand with Leon Johnson who made a 61-ball 20 before being trapped leg before wicket in the over prior to lunch with the Jaguars 69 for 2.
The opener consolidated three early wickets with an 86-run fourth wicket union alongside Barnwell who made his 12th half century, an entertaining 104-ball 58, decorated by 10 boundaries before he was given leg before wicket to part-time seamer, Darren Bravo.
Chanderpaul then added 85 with Bramble who was aggressive in his approach, scoring 61 runs in the
partnership. Bramble carried on to close the day unbeaten on 63 making it his 11th first-class half century. His 49-ball innings was highlighted by nine fours and two sixes, one of which landed on the top tier of the Players’ Pavilion off of Akeal Hosein.
Charles returned with three overs in the day remaining to get the breakthrough with the wicket of Chanderpaul and also trapped Kevin Sinclair leg before wicket for a third-ball duck.
Nevertheless, Devendra Bishoo came to the crease and batted fearlessly for his unbeaten 10, taking two boundaries from the final over. Charles hunted the Jaguars’ batting line up and ended the day with 4 for 62 from 23 overs. Play resumes today at 09.30 hours.
