Johnson to skipper Jaguars for final round matches

Leon Johnson, the West Indies Test and One Day International batsman will resume his role as captain of the Guyana Jaguars for the final three matches of the Professional Cricket League (PCL) four-day tournament.

According to a Cricket Guyana Inc. press release, the left-hander, who is expected home soon following the conclusion of the West Indies tour of South Africa, will lead the 14-man full strength squad when the competition resumes on February 6.

Johnson will have as his deputy, his Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) teammate Vishaul Singh who took over as skipper when Johnson left for South Africa.

Leon Johnson
Leon Johnson

Narsingh Deonarine, who was also part of the West Indies ODI squad against the Proteas, makes a return to the local side after his twin hundreds and superb off spin bowling helped the Jaguars to soar to the top of the points table during the first leg of the tournament.

West Indies Under-19 opener Shimron Hetmyer will likely partner with Rajendra Chandrika at the top of the order while Johnson, Deonarine, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Singh form a solid middle order.

Test batsman Assad Fudadin, who continues to recover from a broken finger which he sustained during a training session in the South African tour, was not named in the side.

The number one and three leading wicket takers in the four-day competition, Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo, will lead the spin attack while pacers Ronsford Beaton and Keon Joseph operate with the new ball.

The all-rounders in the team are Chris Barnwell and Barbadian Raymon Reifer while Anthony Bramble retains his place as wicketkeeper.

Guyana, who lead with 57 points, will face Jamaica who sits in the number two spot with 50 points in next week’s first meeting at Sabina Park, Jamaica.

Guyana Jaguars 4 day team- Rajendra  Chandrika, Shimron Hetmyer, Leon Johnson  (Captain), Narsingh Deonarine, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Vishaul Singh(Vice-Captain), Raymon Reifer, Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble(W/Keeper), Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Keon Joseph and Ronsford Beaton

Rayon Griffith (Manager/Assistant Coach), Esaun Crandon (Coach) and Paul Gomes (Physio).