Singh steers Jags to lead over Hurricanes

Vishaul Singh
Vishaul Singh

Vishaul Singh’s unbeaten half century coupled with some aggressive batting from Christopher Barnwell ensured that the Guyana Jaguars established a first innings lead as they closed day two of the Cricket West Indies Regional Four Day tournament against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes yesterday.

Guyana Jaguars resumed the day on 36-2 and piled on the pressure to close the day on 215-5 from 83 overs, establishing a lead of 33 runs on the back of Singh’s 13th half century at first class level.

The day’s play began over an hour late due to seepage and when play got underway Clinton Pestano and Tagenarine Chanderpaul carried on to share in a 34-run partnership before Pestano was bowled by Rahkeem Cornwall for 25 from 44 balls, hitting four boundaries during his stay at the crease.

Chanderpaul was joined by Singh and the pair resisted the temptation for reckless shots, facing 156 deliveries and putting on 58 runs for the fourth wicket until Chanderpaul’s composed innings came to an end when he was given leg before wicket to Damion Jacobs. Chanderpaul persisted for 156 balls, scoring 29 runs with two boundaries.

The 29-year-old left hander shared another half century partnership, this time with the aggressive batting of Barnwell who raced to 46 from 61 balls before chasing a full delivery outside off stump only to edge to Cornwall in second slip, ultimately breaking the partnership of 69.

Singh found company in Anthony Bramble as the pair resisted the short balls from Alzarri Joseph who troubled the two late in the day but nevertheless, Singh closed on 68 from 157 deliveries, hitting seven fours along the way while Bramble is unbeaten on 11.