[www.inewsguyana.com] – Test batsman Narsingh Deonarine, veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul and opener Rajindra Chandrika all stroked enterprising half-centuries to mastermind a successful run chase and fire leaders Guyana Jaguars to a comfortable four-wicket victory over Barbados Pride on Monday in Barbados.
Starting the final day of the seventh round encounter at Kensington Oval on 41 without loss in pursuit of 333, Guyana swept to victory late in the day to stun the hosts and exact revenge for the embarrassing defeat suffered in Georgetown last December.
At the forefront was Deonarine who top scored with 90 while Chanderpaul carved out 64 and Chandrika, 60.
Barbados were ironically hurt by the Jaguars’ lone import, Barbadian all-rounder Raymon Reifer, who stroked a level-headed unbeaten 41 to see his side to victory.
The left-handed Reifer, snapped up in the players draft at the start of the tournament, finished the game emphatically when he pulled fast bowler Miguel Cummins into the stands at mid-wicket.
He put on 60 in an unbroken seventh wicket stand with wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble who made 27 not out.
Guyana’s victory allowed them to open up a 25-point lead at the top of the standings, with three rounds of the WICB Professional Cricket League remaining.
Barbados had only themselves to blame, however, flooring a slew of catches which importantly gave chances to Chandrika and Bramble.
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican finished with two for 74 while off-spinner Ashley Nurse picked up two for 81.
Barbados looked in pole position for victory when Cummins claimed Vishaul Singh without adding to his overnight 14, with Guyana still on 41.
However, captain Leon Johnson joined Chandrika to add 43 for the second wicket before both perished before lunch, to leave the visitors on 133 for three.
Johnson made 14 before he was lbw to Warrican playing back and Chandrika batted 105 balls in just over 2-1/2 hours at the crease and struck seven fours before falling to a catch at silly point, also off Warrican.
Left-handers Deonarine and Chanderpaul then showed their experience, dominating the post-lunch session to turn the game in Guyana’s favour with a fabulous 144-run fourth wicket stand.
Deonarine was aggressive and took the attack to the bowlers with seven fours and four sixes off 130 balls while Chanderpaul was also busy in his knock, striking five fours and a six off 92 deliveries.
They had steered Guyana to tea at 222 for three but their dismissals in successive overs afterward, opened up the game again. When Chris Barnwell, who was also dropped on six, holed out in the deep off Nurse to leave Guyana 276 for six, Barbados were back in the contest.
But Reifer returned to haunt his fellow Barbadians, facing 89 balls in 105 minutes and hitting three fours and a six, to ensure Guyana easily completed victory. (CMC)
