– whip Jamaica Scorpions by an innings and 54 runs

By Rajiv Bisnauth

THE spin mantra clicked. Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (5-36) and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo (3-43), tied the Jamaica Scorpions batsmen up in knots to steer Guyana Jaguars to an innings and 54- run win in the final round of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-Day game at the National Stadium, Providence, yesterday.After following on, the Scorpions were skittled out for 134 with the spin duo collecting eight second innings wickets between them with the end coming just over an hour after tea.

The Guyana Jaguars entered the final round facing a must-win situation, and after almost three days of competitive cricket they were able to successfully defend their title.
Facing a daunting test after following on on 189, the Jamaican batsmen never provided the stamina required in such a situation and folded in just 50 overs.

Andre McCarthy top scored with 21, with no other batsman managing to pass 20. Damion Jacobs (17), Devon Thomas (17), Jermaine Blackwood (16), Dennis Bullii (15), Shacaya Thomas (12) and John Campbell (10) were the other batsmen to reach double figures.

Medium pacers Raymon Reifer and Christopher Barnwell had one second innings wicket each to set the tone for the spin duo.

Earlier, the Jamaica Scorpions fell short of the follow-on target of 271 runs by 40 and were forced to follow on after they were bowled out on the stroke of lunch.

Wily left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, who was the star performer late on day two, inflicted more misery on the hapless Scorpions when he bowled overnight batsman Devon Thomas for 43.

Jacobs joined forces with Aldaine Thomas and put together 31 runs before Barnwell bowled Jacobs for 19.
The dismissal dented any hopes of the visitors saving the follow-on as Permaul removed Thomas (45) and Bulli (2) in quick succession before Bishoo claimed the final wicket of Gavon Brown for four.

It was a complete first innings bowling effort for the Jaguars, with Motie finishing with 4-55, Reifer (2-47), Permaul (2-43), Barnwell (1-39) and Bishoo (1-45), all playing their part.

Shimron Hetymer was later adjudged Man-of-the-Match for his 107. Meanwhile, head coach Esaun Crandon praised his team for the hard work and commitment they displayed during the entire tournament, adding that the Guyana Jaguars have been the standouts during the entire tournament.

And in the other two matches, Barbados Pride beat Leeward Islands Hurricanes by an innings and 93 runs. Scores: Barbados Pride 436; Leeward Islands Hurricanes 119 and 224, and in the other game Windward Islands Volcanoes closed on 8-0, batting a second time. Scores Trinidad and Tobago 211 and 243; Windward Islands Volcanoes 289 and 8-0.

Jamaica 1st innings
S. Thomas c wk Bramble b Motie 32
J. Campbell c Permaul b Reifer 1
J. Blackwood lbw b Reifer 62
A. McCarthy lbw b Motie 3
P. Palmer lbw b Motie 6
D. Thomas b Motie 43
A. Thomas lbw b Permaul 45
D. Jacobs b Barnwell 19
D. Bulli c Barnwell b Permaul 2
G. Brown c Paul b Bishoo
J. Dawes not out 8

Extras: (nb 4, lb 2) 6

Total: (all out; 91.2 overs) 231

Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-70, 3-74, 4-88, 5-120, 6-174, 7-205, 8-219, 9-226, 10-231

Bowling: Reifer 16-6-47-2, Barnwell 13-4-39-1, Motie 28.3-8-55-4, Permaul 22-7-43-2, Bishoo 12.3-3-45-1

Jamaica Scorpions 2nd innings

J. Campbell lbw b Permaul 10
S. Thomas c Permaul b Barnwell 10
J. Blackwood c Barnwell b Reifer 16
A. McCarthy c Bramble b Permaul 21
P. Palmer* lbw b Bishoo 04
D. Thomas c Chanderpaul b Bishoo 17
A. Thomas stmp’d Bramble b Bishoo 07

D. Jacobs b Bishoo 17
D. Bulli c Motie b Permaul 15
J. Dawes b lbw Permaul 06
G. Brown not out 06

Total: (all out; 50 overs) 134

Extras: (1-nb) 1

Bowling: Reifer 6-0-16-1, Barnwell 2-1-6-1, Motie 7-1-31-0, Permaul 19-7-36-5, Bishoo 16-2-43-3