PROVIDENCE – A cluster of wickets in the final session brought Barbados Pride back into their key contest with leaders and reigning three-time champions Guyana Jaguars, following half-centuries from openers Chanderpaul Hemraj and Tagenarine Chanderpaul in the Regional 4-Day Cricket Championship yesterday.
Hemraj had so far led the way with 79 and Chanderpaul fell for 52, as the Jaguars reached 180 for four, replying to Pride’s first innings total of 294, at the close on the rain-hit second day of their fifth-round match at the Guyana National Stadium.
The opening pair shared 117 for the first wicket and appeared to have put the Jaguars firmly in control of the match, but the Pride steadily chipped away at the batting either side of tea to leave things hanging in the balance when stumps were drawn.
Earlier, the start was delayed until after the scheduled lunch interval, due to wet conditions caused by rain.
The Pride, resuming on 282 for seven, were dismissed inside the first half-hour of the post-lunch session.
All-rounder Keemo Paul helped to bring a swift conclusion to the Barbados innings, taking the last three wickets.
Justin Greaves fell in the second over, failing to add to his overnight 72. Rampersaud was caught at slip without adding to his overnight four, and Warrican was bowled for eight.
Paul, the former West Indies Under-19 World Cup-winning star, ended with 5-59 from 16.3 overs to be the most successful Jaguars bowler.
Hemraj was fortunate, when wicketkeeper Mario Rampersaud put him down on five off Greaves. He continued merrily and carried the fight to the bowlers, reaching his 50 from 65 balls, and looked unflappable following the landmark before he was run out just before tea.
The Jaguars were 119 for one at tea and suffered an early setback after the interval, when Jonathan Carter bowled Leon Johnson for one in the second over after the break.
Vishaul Singh got the Jaguars moving again and guided Tagenarine Chanderpaul closer to his 50, but he was caught behind off Greaves for 15.
Former West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul arrived to see his son reach his landmark from 150 balls. However, the younger Chanderpaul was caught behind off left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican inside the final 15 minutes before the close.
Jaguars – leaders before the start of the round with 64.8 points – have gained three bowling points and 1.6 pace bowling points so far, and the Pride – entering third on 42.4 – have added two batting points, one bowling point and 0.4 pace bowling points. (CMC)
