Paul’s hundred, early wickets leave Jags scenting
PROVIDENCE, Guyana (CMC) — A maiden first class hundred from Keemo Paul and a couple of early wickets put reigning three-time champions Guyana Jaguars firmly on course for a seventh-straight victory over Jamaica Scorpions in the Regional 4-Day Championship yesterday.
Paul, a member of the 2016 West Indies Under-19 side that won the ICC Youth World Cup, hit 107 to drive the Jaguars to 315 for eight declared in their second innings on the third day of their first-round match at the Guyana National Stadium.
Scorpions, chasing 483 for victory, reached 61 for two at the close with Guyanese-born left-hander Assad Fudadin not out on 11, and the highly touted Brandon King not out on 12.
Scorpions made a steady start to their chase, but lost their openers Garth Garvey and the Guyanese-born Trevon Griffith in the space of six deliveries of each other, leaving the visitors on 25 for two.
King came to the crease and with Fudadin batted through more than 20 overs to the close, extending the game into the final day today.
Earlier, Paul struck 12 fours and four sixes from 129 balls and shared successive half-century stands with his captain Leon Johnson and all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford in the face of steady bowling from the Scorpions, led by Denni Bulli with 5-104 from 22 overs.
Johnson made a flat 50 and put on 72 for the seventh wicket with Paul before he was caught behind of Derval Green to leave the Jaguars 229 for seven.
Paul added a further 68 — unbroken — for the eighth wicket with Rutherford, not out on 16, before Bulli bowled him a few overs before the declaration.
Starting the day on 106 for four, the Jaguars were set back early when Bulli bowled overnight batsman Bhaskar Yadram for one.
Anthony Bramble made a brisk 26 and with Johnson, carried the Jaguars’ lead past 300 before Bulli trapped him lbw, bringing Paul to the crease which transformed the complexion of the game.