BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – With Guyana Jaguars having already wrapped up their fourth straight title, the spotlight will fall on veteran left-hander Devon Smith as he bids for the single-season record for the most runs, when the final round of the Regional Four-Day Champions bowls off today.
The 36-year-old has been in red hot form for Windward Islands Volcanoes this season and enters the final stanza of the competition with 944 runs at an average of 78.66.
He requires another 56 runs to reach the 1000-run mark, joining Narsingh Deonarine (1,068), the late Runako Morton (1,010) and veteran former West Indies and Barbados player Floyd Reifer (1,002) who have already accomplished the feat.
More significantly, Grenadian Smith needs another 125 runs to break the all-time scoring record for the first class championship, and will surpass 13 000 first class runs if he gathers a further 31 runs in the game.
Meanwhile, several other players will be eyeing personal landmarks as the season wraps up. The Jaguars batting trio of Anthony Bramble (571), Vishaul Singh (559) and Chandrapaul Hemraj (551) are among those, with all looking to overhaul the 600-run mark.
Former Test wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, who has had an excellent season for Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in scoring 702 runs, will be backing himself to reach 800 runs in what has been his first full first class season in a few years.
In the bowling department, Jaguars left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and Red Force leg-spinner Imran Khan, are both on 46 wickets and will be tipped to reach the 50-wicket mark.
The only intrigue in terms of results will be whether Jagaurs finishes the season unbeaten and if Barbados Pride can hold on to second spot in the standings.
Jaguars have won six of their nine outings and host Red Force at the National Stadium while Pride host Jamaica Scorpions at Kensington Oval.
Pride have 94.6 points with Scorpions snapping at their heels on 91.
Leeward Islands Hurricanes, who take on Volcanoes at Warner Park in a day/night affair, are fourth on 85.2 points while Volcanoes lie fifth on 80.4, a fraction ahead of Red Force on 80 points.
