Pride’s victory over Jaguars virtually assures them of title

Test seamer Kemar Roach finished with a nine-wicket match haul as Barbados Pride routed Guyana Jaguars for an embarrassing 94 in their second innings, to march to an emphatic 235-run victory on Saturday’s third day.

The victory all but assured Barbados of dethroning the five-time defending champions having opened up a 40-point lead at the top of the standings.

The result propelled the Pride to 134.8 points, over 40 points clear of second placed Trinidad and Tobago Red Force who have accumulated  94.6 points.

For the first time in several seasons, Jaguars find themselves in an unfamiliar place of third in the standings on 91.8 points alongside Jamaica Scorpions.

Already turned over for a record low 55 in their first innings on Friday’s second day, Jaguars again had little answer to Pride’s pace attack led by Roach, and slid to their second heaviest defeat in the last 54 years of the modern era of the first class championship.

Roach followed up his first innings five-wicket haul with four for 36 while part-time medium pacer Jonathan Carter, took three for 13.’

Fast bowler Chemar Holder supported with two for 34 as Jaguars, set 330 for victory at the start of the day at the Guyana National Stadium, displayed little enterprise in the day/night eighth round fixture.

The only sign of fight came in a 51-run seventh wicket stand between West Indies fast-bowling all-rounder Keemo Paul who top-scored with an audacious 36 and wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble who chipped in with 22.

But they were two of just three players in double figures and the only ones to pass 15 in yet another inept batting performance.

West Indies batting star Shimron Hetmyer was first to fall in the fourth over of the afternoon, caught at the wicket off Chemar Holder for six with as many runs on the board.

Holder also accounted for captain Leon Johnson for three, the Jaguars captain steering a catch to Jason Holder at third slip and left-handed opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul (11) followed in the next over from Roach, lbw missing an uncertain defensive prod.

Roach then knocked over Vishaul Singh (3) and Raymon Reifer (0) in the space of two deliveries with the score on 26 before accounting for Chris Barnwell (6) with seven runs added, as Jaguars were left tottering on 33 for six.

Paul counter-attacked, belting half-dozen fours and a six in a 22-ball cameo and found a partner in Bramble who faced just 36 deliveries and struck four fours.

But just with the partnership flourishing, Carter struck, getting Bramble to edge a drive to Ashley Nurse at second slip, and Jaguars lost their last four wickets for 10 runs. (CMC)