AFTER a defiant effort from Akeem Saunders, who stroked his maiden first class century, the Leeward Islands Hurricanes batting crumbled for a second time in three days to hand the Guyana Jaguars a ten-wicket win last evening in the seventh round Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-day encounter.
Trailing by 268 on first innings, the tourists were asked to follow on by the Guyana Jaguars, and were bowled out for the identical deficit, leaving the Jaguars with just one run for victory.
Saunders had anchored the middle-order, putting on 91 for the fourth wicket with Shane Burton (53) and 76 for the fifth with Jahmar Hamilton (23), but when he was dismissed, the visitors’ effort unraveled and the second collapse of the match continued with increasing speed. From 127-4, the visitors lost 6-141.
It was a total bowling effort from the Jaguars, with Keemo Paul claiming 3-38, Romario Shepherd (2-33), Gudakesh Motie (2-79), Veerasammy Permaul (2-77) and Sherefane Rutherford (1-18), being the successful bowlers.
The tourists were made to follow-on after being dismissed for just 149 in reply to the Jaguars’ first innings 417.
Resuming at 114-9, 304 behind the Jaguars first innings total 417, the Hurricanes overnight batsmen Jeremiah Louis and Mervin Matthew put together a last pair stand of 35 runs before left-arm spinner Motie had Matthew caught at the wicket for 16.
With 268 runs ahead, Leon Johnson rightly enforced the follow on and pacers Paul and Shepherd provided instant results with their pace, bounce and movement, claiming the wickets of both openers Montcin Hodge (13) and Chesney Hughes (8), at 26-2.
Paul had Hughes edging one to Anthony Bramble on a delivery which had some extra bounce while Hodge was trapped leg before wicket.
Soon after Motie pegged the tourists further back with the wicket of Devon Thomas; Motie benefiting from a fine Johnson catch at first slip.
But Burton and Saunders then allied for a counter-attacking 64-run unbroken partnership for the fourth wicket until the interval, at 100-3.
Upon resumption, the left-handed Burton went pass his fifty but departed soon after, caught at the wicket off Rurtherford.
At the other end, Saunders brought up his fifty in company with Hamilton, and the pair then continued to frustrate the hosts until a power outage sent the players off the field.
When play finally resumed some 40 minutes after, Permaul put down Saunders when the right-hander was on 87, but the pair added 76 runs for the fifth-wicket before Permaul trapped Hamilton plumb in front for 23.
The 23-year-old Saunders then registered his hundred off 171 balls, but soon after he was dismissed, edging Motie behind, at 205-6. His innings lasted for 173 balls, inclusive of 12 fours and a six.
Permaul then bowled Rakheem Cornwall (9) while Paul and Shepherd, who both returned for respective new-ball spells removed Terance Warde (29), Gavin Tonge (1) and Jerimiah Louis (16).
Tagenarine Chanderpaul then ensured the victory with a boundary. Anthony Bramble was named man-of-the-match for his unbeaten 196.
The tournament will break for the holiday season and will resume on January 4, 2018.