Regional Super50 Festival Jaguars suffer 2nd consecutive loss as Kent win by three-wickets
Feb 11, 2018 , https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...in-by-three-wickets/
By Sean Devers in Antigua
In association with Vnet Communications,
Bounty Farm, Noble House Seafoods &
Playter’s Enterprise
A Man-of-the-Match performance from Will Gidman spearheaded Kent Spitfires to an exciting three wicket victory against Guyana Jaguars at CCG last night and their fourth consecutive win, while the Jaguars who began with three wins have now lost their last two games.
Gidman had 4-20 from 10 overs and got support from Grant Stewart (3-17) and Skipper Joe Denly (2-23) as only Chris Barnwell (36 from 66 balls 2×4, 2×6) and Romario Shepherd unbeaten on 30 from 47 balls (3×4) passed 25 as Jaguars in another inept batting performance highlighted a flurry of poor shot selection, collapsed for 158-7 from 47.1 overs.
The left-handed Gidman returned with the bat to finish on undefeated on 29, while striking his sixth boundary to win the game. Zak Crawley (28 from 33 balls 5×4) and Daniel Bell-Drummond (26 from 44 balls 3×4) added 57 for the first wicket, while Alex Blake chipped an attractive with 25 from 22balls (2×4, 2×6).
Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo recovered from a poor first few overs to finish with 4-35, while Romario Shepherd took 3-30.
Jaguars won the toss and elected to bat on a slow track in sultry conditions and watched by mostly English supporters Chanderpaul Hemraj and Shiv Chanderpaul took the score to nine before Chanderpaul (3) was caught behind off Grant Stuart.
Hetmyer stroked Ivan Thomas for consecutive boundaries past cover and down the ground but once again gave his wicket away when he tried to go over the top and was taken at mid-on as Gidman struck for the third time with the score 26-3 after Hemraj (5) was LBW to Gidman three runs earlier.
Skipper Leon Johnson (1) tried to turn a slower ball from Gidman and popped an easy catch to the bowler off the leading edge to leave the Jaguars on 27-4, while Gidman trapped Anthony Bramble (2) and the wounded Jaguars were on ropes at 29-5.
It is said that a Jaguar is at its most dangerous when wounded and Christopher Barnwell, in his second match in the tournament, was joined by Sherfane Rutherford and both batsmen got going with boundaries before Rutherford hit former England off-spinner James Tredwell back over his head for a massive six to post the Jaguars’ 50 in the 18th over.
Barnwell deposited Adam Riley for a couple of sixes, while Rutherford brought up the 50 from 52 balls by hitting the frugal Tredwell back over his head for six, while a scorching cover drive off Riley brought up the 50 stand.
But with the partnership on 58 and score on 87, Rutherford, after just hitting a boundary missed a slog-sweep and had his wicket dismantled by the 35-year-old Tredwell after making 22 with a six and a four.
Without addition to the score Barnwell, looking well set for a good score, pushed forward tentatively at the leg-spinner was taken at slip as Riley struck to leave the Jaguars in deep trouble on 87-7.
Kemo Paul, the most talented 19-year-old all-rounder in the West Indies, hit Tredwell for six while Shepherd got going with a delicate flick and a spanking cover drive next ball which raced to boundary.
Paul hit a six in 13 but was caught and bowled Denly at 114-8 before Shepherd and Veerasammy Permaul added 46 for the ninth wicket to take the score to 150 before Permaul who played a couple of delightful square cuts of Thomas, was bowled by Stuart for 24.
Bishoo (1) was last out trying to hit Stuart over long-off for six as the Jaguars were bowled out with 17 balls remaining.
Kent began their reply positively with the inform Crawley with two fifties in the competition and an unbeaten 99 in their win against Hurricanes and 55 in the opening match which was won by the Jaguars, again looked accomplished.
Daniel Bell-Drummond was looking good against the pacers and then spinners were introduced and a couple of long-hops from Permaul were dispatched for boundaries before he punched Bishoo for a majestic boundary past point.
But when one short of the 58 they put on in their first game against the Jaguars, Crawley was left stranded to Bishoo and Bramble did the rest to end his innings before Bell-Drummond edged one that left him from Shepherd and was well taken by Johnson at deep gully with no addition to the score.
Five runs later Denly (7) was caught behind as Shepherd struck again and all of a sudden Jaguars were given renewed hope and sneaking back into the game.
However, Sean Dickson who got off the mark with six off of a Shepherd free-hit before on driving Paul for four and along with Blake, who stroked Shepherd for two successive fours, ensured the runs were coming fast and furious in unusually cold conditions.
Dickson pivoted and deposited Bishoo for a massive six as both he and Permaul struggled for control as the batsmen scored at will.
But once Blake (25) was removed by Permaul at 113-5, Bishoo bowling an excellent second spell after a ragged start, trapped Adam Rouse (0) LBW without addition to the score before having Stewart (4) caught at the wicket at 127-7.
And the pendulum has swung in Guyana’s favour once again and the pressure was back on the Englishmen, while the crowd which had increased as night progressed were on its feet as 33 were needed with three wickets in hand.
With pulsating music coming from the part mound and Bishoo’s spell completed, Johnson bowled a single over of leg-spin which cost seven runs.
Paul was brought but the 19-year-old was hammered to the point boundary with seven to win. Gidman then scored the winning run off Paul to give Kent one foot in the play-offs.
The Jaguars will now need to go back to the drawing board as they battle with Jamaica Scorpions for a semi-final spot. Guyana’s next match is scheduled for tomorrow.
Scores: JAGUARS 158 off 47.1 overs (Chris Barnwell 36, Romario Shepherd 30 not out, Veerasammy Permaul 24; Will Gidman 4-20, Stewart Grant 3-16).
KENT 162 for seven off 37 overs (Will Gidman 29 not out, Zak Crawley 28, Alex Blake 25; Devendra Bishoo 4-35, Romario Shepherd 2-30).