Strengthened Hurricanes brace for rampant Jaguars

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Leeward Islands Hurricanes have been boosted by the return of three senior players as they prepare for their key battle against leaders Guyana Jaguars in the third round of the Regional Four-Day Championship which bowls off today. Off-spinning all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall, along with wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton and opener Montcin Hodge, all missed the first two rounds of the competition through West Indies A duty against Sri Lanka A in Jamaica. They return in time, however, for the top-of-the-table clash which sees the second placed Hurricanes host the rampant Jaguars at Warner Park in St Kitts. Without the trio, Hurricanes have made a bold start to the new season, drawing their first match with Windward Islands Hurricanes before stunning a weakened Barbados Pride by an innings inside two days at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown last weekend. Jaguars, meanwhile, welcome back prolific veteran left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul, fresh from a successful season of run-scoring for English county Lancashire. The 43-year-old will be a welcome addition to the Jaguars side especially with all-rounder Raymon Reifer and batsman Shimron Hetmyer still missing because of senior West Indies commitments.

At Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, unbeaten Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will fancy their chances of picking up their first win after missing out in their first two matches, when they take on bottom-of-the-table Volcanoes. They too will be stronger for the encounter as West Indies batsman Kyle Hope returns to the ranks after missing the first two rounds through senior team duties in Zimbabwe.

Jason Mohammed, the Windies one-day batsman and vice-captain, also suits up for the first time. Volcanoes will also be enhanced as they welcome back West Indies A all-rounder Kyle Mayers. At Sabina Park in Kingston, Pride will hope for a better showing when they take on hosts Jamaica Scorpions in a day/night affair starting at 2 pm.

The visitors have struggled in their opening games but should be stabilized somewhat as West Indies A four-day captain, Shamarh Brooks, returns to the line-up.

Scorpions, unchanged for the fixture, are one from bottom in fifth and searching for their first win.