… Clash with Leeward Islands Hurricanes from 13:30hrs today

By Rajiv Bisnauth

OPENING batsman Chandrapaul Hemraj has backed Guyana Jaguars to build on their first-round momentum when they clash in match five of the CG Insurance Super50 Cup against Leeward Islands Hurricanes from 13:30hrs today at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.
In a battle of two well-build teams, Hemraj, the attacking opener believes that keeping the winning momentum would be crucial for the team to progress past the preliminary rounds.
“It is important that we continue the momentum and sustain the same kind of focus,” he said.
Guyana have not won a Regional One-Day title since Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s side bested Courtney Browne’s Barbados by seven runs under the Duckworth Lewis Method 15 years ago at the now decommissioned Bourda Oval.

In 14 tournaments staged since then, they have failed to reach the semi-final 11 times, lost at the semi-final three times and in the final thrice.
However, after their 56-run win in a rain-affected opening game against Barbados Pride last Monday, the Jaguars skipper Leon Johnson feels that his side need to do more, especially the batsmen. “We played well; the bowlers did a good job. Obviously ‘Hetty’ and ‘Sheppy’ brought their international experience for us … 235 is just about par, but the second-innings teams have struggled to pass 190 runs, so we were always confident with the total on the board. We just have to take each game as it comes; Leeward Islands pose a different challenge, so it’s just about execution on the day,” the left-hander said.
The game saw Shimron Hetmyer (80) give Guyana Jaguars innings a much-needed boost while Romario Shepherd (58 not out) provided the impetus late in the innings.
In the meantime, Jaguars cannot take anything for granted since Hurricanes have some quality players in their ranks. Hurricanes blew past Barbados Pride on Wednesday night on the back of

Keacy Carty’s magnificent performance – his maiden List A century which came off 125 balls and included nine fours and three sixes.
It gave the Leewards four vital points and left Barbados winless after two matches and at the bottom of the table.
Leeward Islands Hurricanes squad reads: Devon Thomas (captain), Montcin Hodge (v-captain), Amir Jangoo, (wkp.), Ross Powell, Kieran Powell, Keacy Carty, Nitish Kumar, Hayden Walsh Jr, Jeremiah Louis, Sheno Berrige, Quinton Boatswain, Colin Archibald, Nino Henry, Ashmead Nedd and Terrance Ward.
Guyana Jaguars squad reads: Leon Johnson (captain), Shimron Hetmyer (vice-captain), Assad Fudadin, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Kemol Savory, Christopher Barnwell, Keon Joseph, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Ramaal Lewis, Nial Smith, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, Akshaya Persaud and Tevin Imlach.