Captain of the Guyana Jaguars, Leon Johnson, has expressed his satisfaction with the output of newcomers, Nial Smith and Kevin Sinclair during the prematurely concluded West Indies Championship.
Speaking recently on the Barbados radio programme, Mason and Guests, the out-of-favor West Indies batsman said, “Nial Smith, who got 20 wickets in the seven games he played, he started well. I think he was one of the bowlers that were very unlucky because of the chances that went down off of him,” while noting, “I think young Sinclair, he didn’t bowl the amount of overs he should have, being one of the leading spinners in the team but did a decent job. He got a lot to learn in terms of the longer format of the game but he is very enthusiastic and someone for the future.”
Smith, a 24-year-old fast bowler and son of former national coach, Albert Smith, finished with an average of 29.30 and an economy rate of 3.48. The pacer hit the ground running by picking up his best figures of six for 55 on debut against Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the opening round of the tournament.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old off-spinner, Sinclair bagged a dozen wickets in six matches at an average of 27.25 and an economy rate of 2.51. The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club all-rounder also scored 130 runs with a best of 43, which was made on debut.
Johnson also gave his endorsement of Veerasammy Permaul, stating “Permaul is always there or thereabout with the best bowlers in the region, he took 50 wickets in the eight matches.”
The 30-year-old left-arm spinner finished as the leading wicket taker in the tournament, ending with an average of 12.98 and economy rate of 2.08. The Albion Cricket Club bowler, who also crossed the 500-wicket milestone this season, picked up his best bowling performance of 15 for 77 since making his first-class debut 13 years ago.
The discarded test bowler has also received acknowledgment from Chairman of Selectors, Roger Harper who said, “Certainly he has put his hands up in a big way,” and “of course he would be seriously considered.”
Jaguars surrendered the title to Barbados Pride after winning it for the past five seasons. The former champions ended in third with 91.8 points with three wins and three losses in the eight rounds that were played. Trinidad and Tobago Red Force secured second
with 94.6 points from three wins and two losses while Pride earned 134.8 points from six wins and two losses.
