A five-wicket haul from Gudakesh Motie followed up by cameos from Kevlon Anderson and Tagenarine Chanderpaul, saw Vishaul Singh’s XI beating Leon Johnson’s XI by six wickets in the second Jaguars practice match yesterday.
Under sunny conditions at the La Bonne Intention Ground, Johnson’s XI won the toss and opted to take first strike but with the pitch turning, they were bowled out for 109 in 32.1 overs. In reply, Singh’s XI coasted to victory after reaching 110 in 19.3 overs while losing four wickets along the way.
The 24-year-old left arm spinner, Motie, made light work of the middle order to end with five for 22 from his 10-over quota.
Motie, who has represented West Indies A and plays for Albion Community Centre, removed dangerman, Christopher Barnwell (04) who was caught by Anderson at point before trapping Akshaya Persaud leg before wicket for three.
The Super50-bound spinner also drew his clubmate, Anthony Bramble out of his crease for him to be stumped for nine and he also accounted for the wickets of Ramaal Lewis and Quinten Sampson in quick succession.
Earlier, Chandrapaul Hemraj and Trevon Griffith gave Johnson’s XI a solid foundation, adding 60 for the first wicket.
Hemraj looked belligerent from the get go cutting a delivery from Romario Shepherd for four through point. The 27-year-old went on to hit four sixes and three fours in his 25-ball 41 before being caught at short mid-wicket by Assad Fudadin off of Shepherd.
Keon Joseph then gave a preview of what is expected in Antigua when the team hunts their first Super50 title in 16 years when he removed Griffith for 16 and trapped Shimron Hetmyer leg before wicket for a duck to end with two for 28.
Lewis was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 15, including a six and a four. Kevin Sinclair and Devendra Bishoo were the other wicket takers, picking up one wicket for 12 and nine runs respectively.
Singh’s XI lost Fudadin early but Anderson and Tevin Imlach showed their fitness levels were at their peak with positive running between the wickets.
The former West Indies Under-19 duo added 58 for the second wicket but Barnwell got the breakthrough when he trapped his Demerara Cricket Club mate, Imlach leg before wicket for 17.
Barnwell also accounted for Singh, who was sent on his way for nine after Bramble pulled off a low one-handed catch behind the stumps. The seamer ended with two for 28.
Anderson carried on to top score with 34 but Chanderpaul pulled out an uncharacteristic innings and finished the innings in a fury. The 26-year-old smashed three fours and two sixes to end on 28 not out from 20 balls.
The last practice match is scheduled for tomorrow at the same venue.
