By Rajiv Bisnauth

FRONTRUNNERS Guyana Jaguars will aim to stretch their lead when they play the visiting Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in round six of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional Four-Day Competition from today at the Guyana National Stadium.The Jaguars are leading the points table after an impeccable record in the first five matches, winning all by comprehensive margins. They currently sit on 85 points, 22 more than second-place Barbados Pride.

Jamaica Scorpions are third on 53 points, followed by Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (37), Windward Islands Volcanoes (29) and Leeward Islands Hurricanes (13).
Playing their first three matches at home, the Guyana Jaguars defeated Windward Islands Volcanoes by 104 runs, Leeward Islands Hurricanes by an innings and 35 runs, and Barbados Pride by nine wickets.
In the two away matches to close off the first half of the tournament, the Jaguars whipped Trinidad and Tobago Red Force by an innings and 49 runs, and Jamaica Scorpions by 117 runs.
However, the contest will still generate a lot of interest in both countries. The Red Force will be no easy opponents, but historically speaking, the Jaguars will definitely start as favourites.
Head coach Esaun Crandon highlighted the importance of home advantage, adding that the team will have to come out and play good cricket in order to be victorious.
“It is important that we press home any advantage we have. We know that T&T is a very fierce opponent over the years, but we have our game plan in place and all we need to do is to remain focused and execute well,” Crandon said.
“Once we continue doing the things we have been doing and doing so well, then I know we can come out victorious over T&T in the upcoming match, taking maximum points from them to remain at the top of the points table.”
The Jaguars have definitively clicked as a unit so far this season, with newcomer left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie being the standout performer, finishing the first half as the leading wicket-taker with 34 wickets from five games.
Left-hander Vishaul Singh, with 421 runs at an average of 60.14 with two hundreds, is the Guyana Jaguars’ leading run-scorer and the competition’s second highest run-getter behind Roston Chase (436) of Barbados Pride.
Further, left-hander Robin Bacchus is the only uncapped player named in the 13-man squad announced by the local board on Wednesday evening.
The squad includes five Test players, and will see opener Rajendra Chandrika and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo make a return to the national set-up after duties with the West Indies senior team during the Australia tour recently.
Meanwhile, Jon Russ Jaggesar has been given a shot in the four-day set team as one of three specialist spinners selected on the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

Jaggesar, who made his national debut in the Super50 and grabbed 14 wickets in six matches as the Red Force won the tournament, joins left-arm orthodox spinner Akeal Hosein and leg-spinner Imran Khan in the 13-member Red Force team.
The squad, captained by Jason Mohammed, saw the return of former captain Rayad Emrit after missing the last two games due to competing in the Bangladesh Premier League.
The game is set for a 09:30hrs start, with admission to the venue absolutely free.
Guyana Jaguars squad: Rajendra Chandrika, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Assad Fudadin, Leon Johnson (captain), Vishaul Singh (v-captain), Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Gudakesh Motie, Keon Joseph, Ronsford Beaton, Robin Bacchus, Esaun Crandon (head coach), Rayon Griffith (assistant coach/manager).
Red Force squad: Evin Lewis, Jeremy Solozano, Kyle Hope, Narsingh Deonarine, Jason Mohammed (captain), Yannick Ottley (v-captain), Steven Katwaroo, Rayad Emrit, Imran Khan, Marlon Richards, Akeal Hosein, Jon Russ Jagessar and Yannic Cariah.