GUYANA Jaguars maintained their unbeaten run in the 2015 West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) regional four-day tournament with a crushing 117-run victory over Jamaica Scorpions on the final day at Sabina Park, Jamaica yesterday.Led by a man-of-the-match performance from left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, the Jamaican Scorpions were routed for 208 in pursuit of a challenging 326 for an unlikely victory.
Final scores were: Guyana Jaguars 189 and 282; Jamaican Scorpions 146 and 208.
Motie, who is in the midst of a phenomenal debut season, captured an amazing six for 33 from 23.3 overs as the Jamaican Scorpions found no answer to his subtle guile and flight. It also marks his second six-wicket haul of the season, following the six for 20 he claimed against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Guyana National Stadium on November 13 last.
The former Guyana and West Indies Under-19 bowler, who hails from Albion Cricket Club, has now taken his tally of wickets in the tournament to an incredible 34 with five matches still remaining.
Resuming at their overnight 82 for three, the Jamaican Scorpions were immediately under severe pressure, losing overnight batsman Devon Thomas, caught and bowled by fast bowler Keon Joseph for 30 with the addition of just 18 runs.
It was the Motie show thereafter as the slimly-built spinner befuddled the Jamaica Scorpions middle and lower-order.
Apart from Thomas, no other batsmen reached 30 with Raymon Powell and Sheldon Cottrell hitting 23 each.
Off-spinner Stephen Jacobs supported Motie with two for 38 from 26 overs.
The victory allowed the Guyana Jaguars to surge to 85 points, 23 clear of second-placed Barbados Pride on 63. The Scorpions are third on 63 with T&T Red Force on 37, Windward Islands Volcanoes on 29 and the Leeward Islands Hurricanes languishing on 13.
The game also saw history being created with Jamaican Jacqueline Williams being the first woman to ever officiate in a WICB four-day tournament. She stood alongside Trinidadian Peter Nero.
After the end of fifth round matches yesterday, Guyana lead the points table on 85, Barbados Pride in second position on 63, followed by Jamaica Scorpions on 53, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force on 37, Windwards Volcanoes on 29 and Leewards Hurricanes in the cellar with 13 points.
The four-day tournament will resume on February 11, 2016 after a break for the Christmas season and the NAGICO 50-over limited overs tournament, set to commence on January 7 next. The Jaguars will however be in action from February 12 when they oppose T&T Red Force at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
