THE Guyana Jaguars crushed the Windward Islands Volcanoes by an innings and 122 runs in the ninth round West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-day game inside three days to be crowned Regional four-day champions for a third straight year..
The Volcanoes were bowled out for 163 in 46.1 overs in their second innings, after 45 minutes of play yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
With the win, Jaguars moved to to an unassailable 131.4 p0ints, with their rescheduled ninth round game against Leeward Islands Hurricanes still to be played this coming weekend.
The Jaguars are well clear of their closest challengers Barbados Pride who were locked in a keen tussle with Jamica Scorpions at Kensington oval in Barbados.
Medium pacer Keemo Paul (3-36) and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie (4-45), ensured it was another tough session for the Volcanoes remaining batsmen, as the duo shared the remaining five wickets.
Resuming on 102-5, still 182 runs away to make the Jaguars bat a second time, Paul removed Kyle Mayers, caught in the slips by Assad Fudadin for 14, before he claimed the prized wicket of Devon Smith in similar fashion. The left-handed Smith added just one to his overnight 60.
Motie then got into the act, with the wickets of Larry Edwards and Shermon Lewis. Both batsmen went caught-and-bowled.
However, Shane Shillingford hit his way to an unbeaten 35, with five fours and two sixes.
Meanwhile, in an invited comment, man-of-the-match, Paul said he is happy that he contributed to the team’s success.
Paul was the main first-innings destroyer, claiming 6-28. He returned with the bat to score a resolute 46 and shared an eighth-wicket stand with Steven Jacobs, which eventually secured the hosts’ huge lead.
“To be honest I never expected this. I am overjoyed … I am happy that I have contributed so much to the team,” the former West Indies Under-19 player said just after the game.
The Jaguars will turn their attention for the clash against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, starting on Friday at the same venue.
SCOREBOARD
WINDWARD Islands Volcanoes 2nd innings (o/n 100-5)
D. Smith c Chandrika b Paul 61
T. Theophile b Shepherd 10
J. Robinson lbw b Permaul 18
A. Fletcher c & b Rutherford 5
S. Ambris c Shepherd b Motie 8
K. Hodge c Shepherd b Motie 0
K. Mayers c Fudadin b Paul 14
S. Shillingford not out 35
L. Edwards c & b Motie 5
D. Johnson c & b b Motie 0
S. Lewis lbw b Paul 0
Extras: (w-1, nb-2, lb-4) 7
Total: (all out; 46.1 overs) 163
Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-67, 3-80, 4-96, 5-100, 6-115, 7-131, 8-136, 9-136.
Bowling: Shepherd 6-2-14-1, Jacobs 4-0-14-0, Paul 8.1-1-37-3, Permaul 11-4-23-1, Rutherford 8-0-26-1, Motie 9-4-45-4.
Points: Guyana Jaguars 21.6 (12 for victory + 4 batting points + 3 bowling points + 2.6 pace bowling points),
Windward Islands Volcanoes 4.8 (0 batting points + 3 bowling points + 1.8 pace bowling points)