Several rain stoppages failed to save two time consecutive defending WICB Regional 4-Day champs, Barbados, from a convincing historic victory by the rampaging Guyana Jaguars at the Kensington Oval today.
Set an improbable 333 for victory, the Jags went about their task with admirable professionalism and game awareness, scoring the highest total in the match and the highest fourth innings total by a Regional team at Kensington Oval for victory.
This was an impeccable team effort with almost all the batsmen who failed in the first innings putting their hands up to be counted in the second innings, resulting in an eventual resounding and sweet victory. Narsingh Deonarine top scored with 90, Shivnarine Chanderpaul crafted 64, Rajendra Chandrika laid the platform with 60, and Raymon Reifer and Anthony Bramble saw the Jaguars home with an unbeaten 41 and 27 respectively.
Cricket Guy Inc (CGI) and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) wish to record its warmest felicitations and congratulations to the entire team for such a great victory. This win displayed the sort of character that our team is capable of since they were playing catch up with Barbados throughout the match until the fourth day. Rain almost robbed us of completing this revenge victory against our arch rivals, Barbados, but the Jaguars held their nerves to score at nearly three and a half runs per over in this innings to record the highest run rate for the match. Not to be forgotten is the management team who obviously had our team well and truly motivated to complete this crucial seventh round win which was almost a final. Congrats to all and sundry on a job well done!
It should be noted that the Jaguars extended their lead in the tournament now with 107 points with six victories, a clear 25 points ahead of second placed Barbados on 82 points.
Cricket Guy Inc (CGI) and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) wish to also congratulate our young West Indies Test Opener, Kraig Braithwaite for recording two centuries in this match. It was indeed a remarkable achievement.
Meanwhile, President of the GCB, Drubahadur, received the Guyana Jaguars at the Ogle International Airport yesterday and reiterated the CGI and GCB congratulation to them. He urged them to remain focus and give their best effort in each of the three remaining matches.