GCB Bet Cage Sport Nat T20 League…

SHAMAR Yearwood’s blistering 72 was overshadowed by an entertaining 42 from Jomal LaFleur, and 4-13 from Skipper Ricardo Adams as Essequibo Jaguars earned a thrilling last-over victory over Demerara Hawks in the opening game of the Bet Cage Sport National T20 league at the LBI Ground yesterday.

Scores: Dem Hawks 174-7 off 20 overs, E’bo Jaguars 177-6 in 19.3 overs).
The left-handed Yearwood led the way for the Hawks with a brutal 72 from 42 balls and 10 fours and four sixes, but only Thaddeus Lovell, who smashed two fours and three sixes in a 16-ball 30, and 18 from 10 balls from Carlos LaRose reached 15 after the 50 was posted in 4.5 overs.

Left-arm spinner Adams produced a Man-of-the-Match performance, grabbing 4-13 from four frugal overs on the lightning-fast and slightly rough outfield as he capitalised on a track with plenty of turn and bounce.
When the Hawks began their chase under a blue sky in sweltering heat, LaFleur, whose 42 lasted 25 balls and included five fours and two sixes, and Parmesh Parsotam, who made a run-a-ball 29 with three fours and a six, added 70 for the first wicket to give their team a solid foundation.

The experienced Rajiv Ivan, whose 36 came from just 15 balls with three fours and a similar number of sixes, Kanaiya Ramkarran, who made 26 with two fours and a six and an unbeaten 17 with a four and a six, saw the Jaguars to victory in fading light.

Urged on by a large crowd, Daniel Ross took 3-23, while left-arm back-of-the-hand spinner Totaram Bishun had 2-42 from three overs, but, in the end, it was not enough. (Sean Devers)