By Ravi Madholall in Toronto
The consistency in every department of their game is paying great dividends, according to former Guyana first-class opener Krishna Arjune. He made this declaration on Sunday evening after Guyana Jaguars trounced Barbados Pride in their fifth-round match at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
It was the continuation of the 2017/2018 Cricket West Indies Professional Cricket League four-day round-robin tournament and the defending champions have been dominant and phenomenal so far this season with four victories now.
Guyana Jaguars still sitting at the top comfortably on the points table with 86.4 points and that indicated their eagerness to snare another prestigious regional title, and for the fourth time in succession under the leadership of test batsman Leon Johnson, possibly.
Krishna Arjune
“The guys have shown tremendous form with both bat and ball on a consistent basis and certainly deserve to be at the top; once they can maintain that level of consistency, they would definitely continue to hold on to the trophy,” Arjune, who still plays professionally in North America, mentioned.
On Sunday, the final day, the Guyanese Franchise side waltzed their way to a superb eight-wicket win, thanks to two solid and persevering unbeaten half-centuries from Johnson and young Tagenarine Chanderpaul. The pair of left-handers played meticulously throughout their innings occupation and with occasional aggression but ensured their team emerged the champion side.
Chanderpaul, the son of former veteran West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who also played in the game, scored 62 while Johnson made 61.
“I strongly believe that consistency by the batsmen will see them getting big totals or chasing any total and their application has also been remarkable; the bowlers have also done a great job and they know their role to bowl out these teams twice to get maximum result and the they doing it,” the right-handed Arjune stated.
Enthusiastic Fast-bowler Keon Joseph and medium-pace bowler Kemo Paul were the chief destroyers. Paul ended with nine wickets match-haul while Joseph also showed equal sublime form to finish with seven wickets in the encounter.
The three-time victor Guyana Jaguars opened their campaign auspiciously by humbling Jamaica Scorpions while they continued their tour across the Caribbean with victories over Windward Islands Volcanoes and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.
However, a stalemate had taken place with Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the other scheduled fixture, compliments of Shivnarine Chnaderpaul’s resilient 109.
Apart from the positives mentioned above, Arjune feels that complacency would not be an issue for his countrymen as they continue to strive for excellence, he rated the tournament very competitive but Guyana Jaguars have a good roaring approach to inflict more whippings.
“Yes, batsmen doing well and the “big” Shiv still contributing, they should be the top side again; the bowlers and batsmen seem hungry for more success and that would also help them greatly to churn out more wins,” Arjune declared.
Guyana Jaguars will remain at home to confront Windward Islands Volcanoes commencing on Thursday at the same venue. The Volcanoes are currently languishing at the bottom with 21.5 points also from five engagements. Red Force is in second position with 61.8 points.