MAINTAINING momentum will be the order of the day when the defending champions Guyana Jaguars clash with Barbados Pride in round three of the Regional Four-Day Championships at the Kensington Oval from Thursday.

The Jaguars, four-time defending champions, are leading on the points table, and will definitely start this round as firm favourites, taking into consideration their huge wins in their first two encounters.

They lead the table with 37points ahead of Pride, who have 22.6. Hurricanes are in third with 22.2 points followed by Windward Volcanoes (21.4), Jamaica Scorpions (5) and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (4.4).

However, complacency will be the only thing that Leon Johnson and company will have to resist, but the Jaguars have never given the impression that this is something which imbeds itself in the way they operate.

Speaking with Chronicle Sport yesterday, head coach Esaun Crandon indicated that the Jaguars is anticipating a very competitive game since the Pride will be at full strength.
“Obviously, we expect a full strength Barbados (Pride) team, so definitely we anticipate a very competitive game,” Crandon revealed.

The ex-first class cricketer added “Over the years, Barbados have played some tough cricket, but once we play to the conditions, play to our full strength, we can come out on top. The important thing for us is to win more sessions, that is what is important”.
Crandon, who is touted to be the next assistant coach of the regional team when England start their tour with a Three-Test series starting on January 23 in Barbados, further mentioned that while the Jaguars unit is good on paper, they need to play consistent cricket throughout the four days.

The squad departs tomorrow for Barbados.
Guyana Jaguars squad for round three: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Leon Johnson (Captain), Vishaul Singh, Christopher Barnwell, Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Veerasammy Permaul, Clinton Pestano, Keon Joseph and Gudakesh Motie.