Vishual Singh’s second half century in successive matches led Guyana Jaguars to 261 all out while Leeward Islands Hurricanes closed day two at the Providence National Stadium on 73 for two from 45 overs.
The second day’s play in the seventh round clash of the West Indies Championships saw the defending champions resuming on 115 for four with Singh, not out 54 overnight, carrying his score to 90 from 231 balls.
The 31-year-old left hander, who made 93 against Jamaica in the previous round, struck six boundaries, favouring the off side and playing with delicate hands before nicking a faint edge to wicketkeeper, Jamar Hamilton off of fast bowler, Jeremiah Louis (4-49) and effectively putting an end to a four-and-a-half hour stay at the crease.
The discarded West Indies Test batsman engineered a 93-run stand for the fifth wicket with Raymon Reifer who moved from his overnight four to 43. The Bajan-born all-rounder crafted six boundaries, including a front foot drive through long off in his two hour at the crease.
However, the 28-year-old left hander was sucked into a rash shot from a delivery from Louis outside off edged it only for Terrance Warde to leap high off the ground at second slip and pull in the rocket.
Two balls later Louis bowled Kevin Sinclair for a duck as Jaguars lost three wickets for five runs within 10 minutes before the close of the first session and slipped to 198 for seven.
After lunch, Anthony Bramble, who made 23 from 29 balls looked to counter Hurricanes with a positive approach during his 40-minute stay and hit two of his four boundaries consecutively off of off-spinner, Rahkeem Cornwall.
However, a full delivery was too good for the right hander to miss out on, only to gift Montcin Hodge a simple waist height catch at cover and hand the paceman his fourth wicket on a spin friendly pitch.
An unbeaten 24 from Veersammy Permaul and 17 from Gudakesh Motie, playing in his first match of the season allowed Jaguars to cash in on batting points before Kian Pemberton (2-54) accounted for the final two wickets 20 minutes before tea. Hurricanes openers then saw them to 10 without loss by the interval.
But when the extended final session resumed, Permaul found success with an arm ball clipping the top of Kieran Powell’s off-stump to send the left hander on his way for 13.
Off-spinner, Sinclair shortly after removed Ross Powell for five via leg before wicket but an unbroken third wicket union of 33 between Amir Jangoo (22 not out) and Hodge (21 not out) saw them to stumps.
The third day’s play resumes at 09.30 hours today.
