By Ravi Madholall
Like the two previous years, former Guyana opening batsman Krishna Arjune is confident Guyana Jaguars will be the championship unit by the completion of the 2018/2019 Cricket West Indies Professional Cricket League regional four-day victor.
Since the commencement of the season last year, Guyana Jaguars have been dominant in every facet of their game collecting three out-right wins in handsome fashion.
In addition to that they have been historical having held on to the prestigious trophy for the past four consecutive years, all under the astute leadership of discarded West Indies batsman Leon Johnson.
What has transpired so far for the Guyanese combination is a reflection of the spectacular talent in the team and its cohesion, according to Arjune.
“They are doing great and they will continue to do well; they have played superb cricket again this season and should be the winner again,” Arjune informed.
Their perfect start occurred against the lowly-rated Windward Islands Volcanoes registering a comfortable 125-run win while the following encounter saw Guyana Jaguars roar to a comprehensive nine-wicket triumph over Leeward Hurricanes and then Guyanese humbled arch-rivals Barbados Pride by six wickets. All three matches were played in their oppositions’ respective territories before they clash with Windward Islands on home soil currently taking place.
“When you look at the team, this is a bunch of experienced guys and the talent is in abundant so that gives me the confidence they could be the champion side again; the batsmen have been performing terrifically and the bowlers are in fine form as well,” the right-handed Arjune, who appeared in 40 first-class matches for his passport country, declared.
Arjune said that he recognizes the importance of the double-round format which provides a golden opportunity for the youngsters to exhibit their talent. Guyana Jaguars will meet with host Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the twin-islands republic in their next assignment.
“If they stay focused, they can be dominant as well against the more established teams like Trinidad, Jamaica and Barbados especially playing against them in their backyard; but the great level of commitment from the Jaguars’ boys, I am very optimistic they will be victorious after ten games,” Arjune mentioned.
In the confrontation against the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, Jaguars were in a commanding position after two days of play. Jaguars made a formidable 452-9 declared thanks to wicketkeeper/batsman Anthony Bramble’s exciting 168 and opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s resolute 116. The visitors, in reply, were tottering at 99-5. West Indies medium-pace bowler Keemo Paul created the destruction with four wickets so far.