Tevin Imlach returns to the Guyana Jaguars squad, replacing the injured Chandrapaul Hemraj for tomorrow’s seventh round clash against Leeward Islands Hurricanes at Providence in the West Indies Championships.
Hemraj, who is one of only three batsmen in the side with over 300 runs, reportedly suffered a strain in the previous match and leaves the opening spot available.
It is likely that Imlach or Akshaya Persaud will fill that spot.
Newly appointed manager, Julian Moore expressed confidence in both youngsters.
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Both guys are very talented guys who have scored heavily locally in the past and I think either way we can’t go wrong,” said Moore, who is the son of former national manager, Carl Moore.
He also called on the pacers to step up especially since fast bowling points are allocated.
“Yea I think once there is fast bowling points I think it is always important for us [to cash in] and I think that we will always be looking to capitalize and in saying that I think the spinners have been doing a good job, [Veerasammy] Permaul obviously excellent and this is just another day to execute in both departments,” Moore stated.
The Level Three coach said that while the team is in unchartered territory since the championship began, they see it as an opportunity for the players to put their hands up and do something special.
“In our chat this morning [yesterday] I just let them know there is a lot of outside noise.
“I let them know we aren’t as comfortable as we would like after six rounds in the previous five years and this is an opportunity for us to do something special.
“It’s an opportunity for some of the guys in the dressing room to put their hands up and make it count, it is just about us getting into this next game and trying to do the right things and get right habits to build for the other games,” Moore stated.
After six rounds, the five-time defending champions are in second position with 79 points while Barbados is at the top of the table with 108.2 points. Hurricanes on the other hand are at the bottom of the table with 40.4 points.
Jaguars have been heavily reliant on the left-arm spinner, Permaul, who continues to set fire under the West Indies selectors’ seat, having taken 45 wickets already. Contrastingly, Jaguars have 45 fast bowling wickets collectively from their four pacemen.
In the batting department, Moore has called on senior players such as Christopher Barnwell and Leon Johnson, who are the other two batsmen with over 300 runs to continue to press for big scores along with Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Vishual Singh, Anthony Bramble and Raymon Reifer.
Their opponents would be confident, having defeated the hosts at the venue last year. Their ace all-rounder, Rahkeem Cornwall has already made an impact since his return, taking 10 wickets in the last match. Cornwall’s 23 wickets are the most by any Hurricanes bowlers while seamer, Sheno Berridge has 18.
Their batting has equally struggled with only Kieran Powell scoring over 300 runs so far and no batsman has reached a century as yet.
Jaguars: Leon Johnson (captain), Vishual Singh, Christopher Barnwell, Tevin Imlach, Akshaya Persaud, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Anthony Bramble, Raymon Reifer, Keon Joseph, Nial Smith, Gudakesh Motie, Kevin Sinclair, Veerasammy Permaul.
Hurricanes: Jamar Hamilton (captain), Kieran Powell, Montcin Hodge, Keacy Carty, Amir Jangoo, Rahkeem Cornwall, Akeem Saunders, Terance Warde, Jeremiah Louis, Ross Powell, Adelvin Phillip, Sheno Berridge, Kian Peberton.
