Johnson ton, Permaul 5-for highlight Jags warm up

Leon Johnson winds up during his century knock (Romario Samaroo photo)
Leon Johnson winds up during his century knock (Romario Samaroo photo)

A sedate century from the Guyana Jaguars captain and a five-wicket haul from their most seasoned spinner, Veerasammy Permaul highlighted the final day’s play of the Guyana Jaguars’ final preparation match ahead of the Cricket West Indies Regional Four Day tournament.

Play at the Providence Stadium yesterday saw Johnson resuming on 56 to notch up 118 before being the penultimate wicket of the day’s play.

The 31-year-old left hander carved 22 delightful boundaries, playing innovative shots to much success before he attempted to sweep Permaul and was given leg before wicket by umpire Moses Ramnarine coming down to the end of the day.

Veerasammy Permaul takes his mark (Romario Samaroo photo)

Permaul also accounted for the wickets of Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who blasted 65 inclusive of five fours and one six as he shared in a 149-run partnership with his captain, Christopher Barnwell (11) who was caught by Rajendra Chandrika, Akshaya Persaud (00) and Kemol Savory (07) who were both bowled in a forward defence.  

The Jaguars’ left hand spinner ended with 5-58 from 17.2 overs while Keon Joseph and Romario Shepherd bagged one wicket each to see Johnson’s XI reach 241-7 from 70.2 overs.

Earlier, when Vishaul Singh’s XI were batting, Ramaal Lewis, batting at 10 top scored with an unbeaten 48 consisting of six fours and two sixes with the next best score coming from Robin Bacchus with 29.

Barnwell picked up three wickets with Clinton Pestano copping two as Singh’s XI reached 153 all out in 56 overs.

The Jaguars are in pursuit of their record-levelling fifth consecutive title when they open the tournament against Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Darren Sammy National Stadium in St. Lucia on Thursday while the Leeward Islands Hurricanes will take on the Barbados Pride at the Three W’s Oval in Barbados from the same day beginning at 14:00hrs daily.