CWI Digicel Regional 4-day C/Ships …Motie, Paul, Rutherford put Jaguars in ascendency

Dec 03, 2017 Sports, https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...guars-in-ascendency/

Bad light stops play under floodlights

By Sean Devers
When bad light stopped play under floodlights on the penultimate day of their fifth round CWI Digicel Regional 4-day Championships game against Barbados Pride at Providence yesterday, defending Champions Guyana Jaguars were in the ascendency thanks to an unbeaten 72 from Gudakesh Motie and incisive seam bowling from Kemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford and Keon Joseph.
Resuming on 180-4 in reply to Barbados’ 294, Guyana reached 314 all out on the stroke of Tea. Night watchman Motie was left stranded on 79 from 147 balls with 19 fours a six, while Shiv Chanderpaul’s 30 from 53 balls with four boundaries, Rutherford’s 25 from 34 balls with three fours and a six and Paul’s 19 included two fours and a six all contributed to the Jaguars cause.
Off-spinner Ashley Nurse had 3-34, but while his figures were flattering, left-arm spinner Jomal Warrican had 3-91 and was the best bowler for Barbados who ended the day yesterday in a deep hole on 126-7 with a lead of just 106 runs and the Jaguars scenting their fourth win in five matches.
Joseph started the demolition job by inducing the left-handed Shane Moseley (5) to edge a ball that left him to second slip at 9-1, but Skipper Shamarh Brooks and Anthony Alleyne took their team to Tea at 37-1.
After the break the 29-year-old former West Indies ‘A’ and U-19 Captain Brooks, who promised much as a youth player, executed some elegant drives and looked well set for a big score.
But once again the classy right-hander flattered to deceive when he dragged a ball from the impressive Paul onto his off stump after stroking five fours in 22 and his demise left his team on 37-2.
It was soon 61-3 when Kevin Stout (11) was caught behind by Anthony Bramble; edging Paul, who bowled 11 consecutive overs in scorching heat and a slow track which had gotten better for batting.
While Paul swung the ball both ways and demonstrated excellent control, Rutherford was willing to test the batsmen with the short ball and had the batsman, who grew up on fast pitches, jumping as Leon Johnson, showing why he is regarded as the Region’s best leader, kept an all pace attack in operation.
With the trap set and Rutherford in the middle of a hostile spell, Alleyne, set on 32 from 74 balls, seemed uncomfortable to the bouncers and impetuously hooked Rutherford to deep square leg with the score on 80-4.
Paul, who had 5-59 in the first innings, trapped Kenroy Williams (11) LBW playing no shot and removed Justin Greaves (1) to a catch by the Keeper seven runs later as Barbados slipped to 105-6 before Rutherford bowled Nurse (1) at 109-7.
Carter (14) and Mario Rampersaud (1) saw Barbados to the close leading by 106.
Earlier, Warrican had Chanderpaul caught and bowled before trapping Bramble (0) LBW next ball as two wickets fell at 219 before Paul and Motie carried the score to 264 when Paul was bowled.
Rutherford attacked the bowlers and swept Nurse for four to post the 300 and give the hosts a third batting point before he cut a long-hop from Nurse to point at 302-8.
The chances of Moti joining Garfield Charles, who scored a century against T&T as the only Guyanese night watchmen to scores hundreds, got slimmer when Veerasammy Permaul (4) was bowled by Nurse and hopes died when Joseph (0) edged Nurse to slip at the last two wickets tumbled at 314.
But Motie, who bowled the single over of spin in the Barbados second innings, had done his job. It will take a vastly improved batting performance today and some rain to deny the Jaguars from roaring to another win.