– Guyana Jaguars beat Jamaica Scorpions by 109-runs
ALL-rounder Christopher Barnwell registered his first List A century to set up a 109-run victory for the Guyana Jaguars over the Jamaica Scorpions in the Cricket West Indies (CWI)-sponsored CG Insurance Super50 Cup last evening in Antigua. Barnwell, the 34-year-old all-rounder, slammed a 90-ball 107, with four fours and six sixes, as he batted with responsibility to ensure the Jaguars set a winning total of 299-9. Wicket-keeper/batsman, Anthony Bramble, struck 69. Left-arm spinner, Gudakesh Motie, then claimed another four-wicket haul, 4-55, to stifle the Scorpions as they were eventually bowled out for 190 in 43.5 overs. The Jaguars, who remained at the top of the points table with 12 points, got off to a disastrous start as Assad Fudadin, who seems to be at the end of his cricketing career, made 10, while Chandrapaul Hemraj (8), and Shimron Hetmyer (1) followed with just 21 runs on the board.
In the absence of regular skipper, Leon Johnson, the stage was set for the strongly-built Barnwell to exhibit his batting prowess, and he duly rose to the occasion.
The Jaguars, from a position of 21-3, saw Barnwell and Akshaya Persaud adding 91 for the fourth-wicket before Persaud went for 25 off 65 balls.
The right-handed Barnwell was joined by Bramble and the pair pulverised the Scorpions attack in a fifth-wicket stand of 88.
Bramble, also right-handed, who struggled for runs in his first two games, struck four fours and four sixes in his 49-ball knock.
Romario Shepherd then made 18, before Ramaal Lewis struck three sixes and two fours in his 35 off of 22 balls faced towards the back end of the innings.
Pacer Sheldon Cotterell had 3-73, while Jamie Merchant, Oshane Thomas, Derval Green and Dennis Bulli all had a wicket apiece.
In the run chase, a few of the Scorpions batsmen got starts but failed to captilise with Andre McCarthy, who struck three sixes and a four, top scoring with 48. Rovman Powell made 32, opener Aldane Thomas 29 and an unbeaten 24 came from Jamie Merchant. Motie, who again turned in an impressive performance with the ball, received support from pacers, Nial Smith (2-15) and Shepherd (2-26), while off-spinner Kevin Sinclair and Persaud had a wicket apiece.
The Guyana Jaguars will be in action again on February 20 when they play the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in another day/night encounter.