-Smith, Barnwell stand out among stars

GUYANA Jaguars wrapped up an emphatic 10 wicket win over Leeward Hurricanes to get their 2020 Regional 4-Day title defence off to a great start.
The Jags racked up 388 runs in their first innings thanks to half-centuries from top-scorer, Chris Barnwell, who led with 82, captain Leon Johnson and openers Chandrapaul Hemraj and Tagenarine Chanderpaul.

Leewards then stumbled in their chase as they ran into a hostile Niall Smith who snatched 6 wickets with his steamy right-arm pace on red-ball debut for the Champs.
Jahmar Hamilton led the resistance with 53 amongst a dismal batting card. After being skittled out for 155 in their 1st innings, Hurricanes bounced back thanks to a sublime 99 from Windies opener Kieran Powell.

The left-hander shared a 150-plus run opening stand with Montcin Hodge who hit 62. However, after gaining just a slight lead of 20, following their 2nd innings 254-10, Guyana then knocked off their target in no time.
The Jags earlier operated with a pack-like mentality as the wickets were shared evenly among the frontline bowlers.

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer both returned identical figures of 3-55 while speedsters Smith grabbed two as he ended the match with 8 wickets in total and keon Joseph who also bagged a pair.

The match came to a calm end as Hemraj stroked a four in his score of 8 not out while Chandepaul was the unorthodox aggressor of the two, smashing a six and two fours as he raced to 14 off 11; sealing an exceptional win for the 5-time defending champions. (Clifton Ross)