A maiden unbeaten century from Guyana Jaguars’ wicket keeper batsman Anthony Bramble, placed the hosts in a position of comfort at stumps last evening, the first day of their seventh-round encounter against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence
Jaguars end the night on 276 – 8
The day/night encounter began with the hosts winning the toss and electing to bat. A decision which left the three time defending champions wondering if they had made the right call, after finding themselves in early trouble, with the score on 41 – 4, in the 15th over.
Jaguars’ top order found themselves wanting, as Tagenarine Chanderpaul (16), skipper Leon Johnson (0), the in-form Vishaul Singh (5) and Chandrapaul Hemraj (25), all failed to make their mark, perishing before the team had recorded 50.
With the side looking in danger of being bundled out by the perils of off spinner, Rakeem Cornwall, who had two of the four scalps, Bramble and Shivnarine Chanderpaul combined for a century stand to dig the hosts out of the hole.
The duo found the fence and ran well between the wickets, adding 118 to take the score from 41 – 4 to 159 – 5, before the demise of the elder statesman, Chanderpaul for 51, off 118 balls. Shiv’s knock included six fours and two maximums, and was curtailed by the versatile Devon Thomas, as he grabbed his lone wicket of the day.
Bramble, nonetheless, pushed on, registering his maiden first class ton, and in an innings which can be characterized as his coming of age, he laced an array of lovely shots.
His knock also saw him partnering with young all-rounder, Sherfane Rutherford (23), another Cornwall victim, as the duo featured in a 63-run partnership to further consolidate the innings.
Romario Shepherd (22), was also useful at the bottom of the order, adding another valuable 35 runs with Bramble, whilst taking some of the pressure off the centurion, before he was bowled by the seamer, Gavin Tonge.
It was an evening where everything centred on Bramble, who ended the day undefeated on 116, an innings which included 16 fours and three sixes, as the Jaguars reached 276-8. His overnight partner is Veerasammy Permaul, who is on one.
The Hurricanes bowling, had a few surprises, with Thomas (1-31) and Chesney Hughes (1-22) being given the ball. Skipper Cornwall’s 3-80 however, led the way with his reliable off-spin, while seamers Tonge (1-43), Mervin Mathew (1-18) and Jeremiah Louis (1-46), all had contributing spells. (Royston Alkins)
