Guyana Jaguars

The win was Bangladesh’s first win on their tour having lost both the Test and T20 International series 2-0.

The win also means that Bangladesh have now won their last six ODIs against the hosts, a fact that West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran says the team is well aware of.

“We know Bangladesh has had us in the last couple series but that’s ok. I feel like we’re still going to win this series. We’re 1-0 down but we can come again on Wednesday with better plans and punch back,” said Pooran in a post-match interview.

The skipper lamented the team’s lack of runs on the board in the 41 overs-per-side game, being restricted to a subpar 149-9.

“We definitely didn’t have enough runs on the board. If we had got close to 175 or 200 on that wicket, it’d be interesting to see how the game would have turned out. We also could’ve bowled a bit better in the powerplay. It’s going to be a challenge for us but we just need to keep figuring out ways to win cricket games, especially in the ODI format,” Pooran said.

On the other hand, “Fantastic,” was how Pooran described debutant Gudakesh Motie’s performance with the ball.

Motie took his first international wicket on the way to a tidy 1-18 off nine overs.

“He got his opportunity in front of his home crowd and delivered. Unfortunately, he was on the losing side but the way he bowled nine overs for 18 runs is fabulous and we’re expecting him to continue to bowl like this, not just in this series but in the future as well,” he added.

The 27-year-old Motie, who also made his Test debut on this tour, got his chance in the ODI format on the back of a stellar campaign in the 2021 Super 50 Cup which saw him finish as the competition’s leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets in seven matches as Guyana got all the way to the final, losing to Trinidad & Tobago.

The expected return of Windies Test captain Jason Holder and fast bowler Kemar Roach are expected to provide a boost to the team fresh off a massive 148 runs loss to Trinidad and Tobago.  With seven matches played, the Pride who lead the standings with 116 points, 31 ahead of Guyana Amazon Warriors who played to a draw with the Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

“It is a big game (Guyana vs Barbados) and that is our big focus. We have to perform. The loss in Trinidad and Tobago was disappointing. We should have done better,” Pride head coach Emmerson Trotman to the Barbados Nation News.

“Trinidad utilised the conditions better than we did, but we have to put that behind us,” he added. 

The two have accounted for the last seven titles between them but it is the Jaguars that have claimed the trophy in ever edition since 2014.  In other matches of the round, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will battle the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad & Tobago, and the Leeward Islands Hurricanes will lock horns with the Jamaica Scorpions at the Viv Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua & Barbuda.

The Hurricanes openers posted the highest first-wicket partnership of the tournament so far, after Kieran Powell and Ross Powell had a slow but steady start of 152 in 31 overs.

Ross Powell made 61, which included eight fours, but became the first victim of left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, who took 4-45 and won the CG Insurance Man-of-the-Match award.

Kieran Powell looked well set to reach triple figures, but on 94 he smacked a drive to Johnson, at extra cover, to give Motie his second wicket. The knock came off just 97 deliveries, with four fours and four sixes.

There was little resistance left as the Leewards Hurricanes finished their 50 overs on 244-9. Motie was the pick of the Jaguars bowlers, while seamer Nial Smith had 3-47 also from 9 overs.

Assad Fudadin and Chanderpaul Hemraj started a cautious run-chase, as they posted 45 before Hemraj was dismissed for 24 off 22 balls. Shimron Hetmyer was run out for nine from a brilliant diving throw-in from Hayden Walsh Jr at point.

But it was the partnership of the most experienced players, captain Johnson and Chris Barnwell that took the game away from the Hurricanes. Barnwell was the aggressor, striking three sixes and a boundary on his way to a valiant 49 before Sheeno Berridge caught him slashing behind.

Johnson soldiered on despite battling cramps. He eventually brought up his second List A century in style with a drive to mid-off for a boundary. With Romario Shepherd at the other end, the pair rotated the strike to lead the Jaguars to the second victory of the tournament with 2.1 overs remaining.

According to Cricket West Indies, the health risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruption to all domestic cricket since late March 2020, with no competitive cricket allowed regionally except for an abridged version of the Caribbean Premier League which took place last August in Trinidad.

This year’s annual CG Insurance Super50 Cup will provide a platform for the region’s six major cricketing rivals to clash in 19 action-packed 50-over matches starting from Sunday, February 7 when Leeward Islands Hurricanes host the Windward Islands Volcanoes.

The tournament will come to an exciting climax when the new champions are crowned on Saturday, February 27.

The 2019-20 champions, West Indies Emerging Players, are unable to defend their 2019 trophy due to COVID-19 constraints, however, several of those players now feature in the squads of the six competing franchise teams, one of which will emerge as the CG Insurance Super50 Cup champions.

Each team will play each other on a round-robin basis with the top four teams qualifying for the semi-finals and the opportunity to reach the grand final.

Matches will be played at Antigua’s two international cricket venues - the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) and the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (SVRS). There will be 13 matches at CCG including the semi-finals and final, and six matches at SVRS.

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard said it was good to have regional cricket back after a one-year break.

"It is very good that cricket is coming back to the Caribbean... players will get the opportunity to showcase their skills and entertain our fans. It has been a trying 2020 for cricketers and the whole Caribbean, so it is really good that we have the CG Insurance Super50 Cup being played at this time and hopefully it can unearth some new talent,” he said.

CWI has been working closely with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Sport in Antigua & Barbuda to orchestrate logistics and agree the safety and medical protocols for the commencement and duration of the tournament.

All players, support staff, match officials and supporting professionals will be tested with negative COVID-19 results before their arrival into Antigua. Players, support staff and match officials will operate within a bio-secure bubble and will be tested at regular intervals during the tournament with assistance from the local Ministry of Health and CARPHA.

“A huge amount of planning and work has been put in to ensure that the Super50 Cup can return and CWI would like to offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, title partners CG Insurance, our host broadcasters ESPN Caribbean and our colleagues at the Leeward Islands Cricket Board and the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association, for all of their support in helping to stage the tournament during these unprecedented times,” said CWI CEO Johnny Grave.

Meanwhile, Naz Farrow, CEO of CG Insurance said the company was happy to be able to continue supporting regional cricket.

“CG Insurance is proud to sponsor the CWI Super50 Cup and thrilled to be a part of the first tournament of 2021. We are happy to support the many players and organizers involved and recognize the major efforts that have gone into the preparation of this event during these unique times. By partnering with the CWI series, we have the opportunity to support our various Caribbean nations and to showcase that we are stronger together,” he said.

The CG Insurance Super50 Cup is the marquee 50-over event in the West Indies featuring the six long-standing territorial rivals– Barbados Pride, Guyana Jaguars, Jamaica Scorpions, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, and the Windward Islands Volcanoes.

This is the second edition of the Super50 Cup featuring CG Insurance as title sponsors, and the event promises to stage big performances and memorable moments as the teams go in pursuit of winning the coveted CG Insurance Super50 Cup and being awarded the Sir Clive Lloyd Trophy.

Below is the match schedule for the CG Insurance Super50 Cup

Sun, Feb 7 - Leewards Hurricanes v Windwards Volcanoes (day match)  - CCG

Mon, Feb 8 - Guyana Jaguars v Barbados Pride - CCG

Wed, Feb 10 - Leewards Hurricanes v Barbados Pride - CCG

Thur, Feb 11 - Jamaica Scorpions v Trinidad & Tobago Red Force - SVRS

Fri, Feb 12 - Leewards Hurricanes v Guyana Jaguars - CCG

Sat, Feb 13 - Windwards Volcanoes v Trinidad & Tobago Red Force - CCG

Sun, Feb 14 - Jamaica Scorpions v Guyana Jaguars - CCG

Mon, Feb 15 - Trinidad & Tobago Red Force v Barbados Pride - SVRS

Tue, Feb 16 - Windwards Volcanoes v Jamaica Scorpions - CCG

Wed, Feb 17 - Leewards Hurricanes v Trinidad & Tobago Red Force - CCG

Thu, Feb 18 - Windwards Volcanoes v Barbados Pride - SVRS

Fri, Feb 19 - Leewards Hurricanes v Jamaica Scorpions - SVRS

Sat, Feb 20 - Guyana Jaguars v Trinidad & Tobago Red Force - CCG

Sun, Feb 21 - Barbados Pride v Jamaica Scorpions - CCG

Mon, Feb 22 – Windwards Volcanoes v Guyana Jaguars - SVRS

Wed, Feb 24 - SEMI-FINAL 1 - CCG

Thur, Feb 25 - SEMI-FINAL 2 - CCG

Fri, Feb 26 - Fifth placed v Sixth placed -SVRS

Sat, Feb 27 – FINAL - CCG

With Jaguars in trouble on 21-3 in the ninth over, Barnwell scored 107 off just 90 balls to rescue the innings. The career-best knock surpassed his previous highest of 99 not out.

Wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble followed up by smashing 69 from 49 balls, also the highest score of his List A career. Then lower-order batsman, Ramaal Lewis, hit a whirlwind 35 off 22 balls, to help lift the Jaguars to an imposing 299-9 off their 50 overs.

Barnwell struck four boundaries and six sixes, first adding 91 for the fourth wicket with Akshaya Persaud (25) before putting on a further 88 for the fifth with the attacking Bramble.

Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie then spoiled the Scorpions run chase, as he picked 4-55 to move his tally to nine wickets from three matches.

Seamers Niall Smith (2-15) and Romario Shepherd (2-26) supported with crucial wickets as Scorpions declined from 116-3 in the 28th over, to 190 all out in the 45th over.

Andre McCarthy top-scored with 48 from 55 balls, captain Rovman Powell chipped in with 32 from 44 while Aldaine Thomas scored 29 but the Jamaicans failed to build any meaningful partnerships and lost their second match of the tournament.

Shimron Hetmyer led Jaguars in the absence of injured captain Leon Johnson and noted the side’s winning streak was important. “It’s really nice to be on the winning side to be honest and it’s always good to win back-to-back games. That’s what we always talk about and it’s a good feeling for us,” he said.

The seven-wicket victory was achieved courtesy of a first-day rout from Jaguars spinner Veerasammy Permaul, whose 7-59, left the hosts 216 all out, with just Jermaine Blackwood, 59, really putting up any resistance.

In reply, the Jaguars depended on half centuries from Chanderpaul Hemraj (82) and Vishaul Singh (93) to get to 304 and a healthy lead of 88. That lead was too much for the Scorpions who buckled under the pressure, collapsing for 111, a lead of just 24.

Permaul was back at it again in the second innings, bagging eight wickets this time. Those eight wickets cost just 18 runs to end with figures of 15-77. The other two wickets went to Kevin Sinclair, who ended with 2-26.

For the Scorpions, the only batsman into double figures, John Campbell, scored all of 66 runs as his side meekly gave up the ghost.

Sinclair, nine, Leon Johnson, two, and Tagenarine Chanderpaul, two, all lost their wickets in chase of the minuscule total, with Singh on five and Christopher Barnwell on four, the not out batsmen.

Scores in the match, the Volcanoes, 318 and 273-1, the Jaguars, 426.

The Volcanoes began the day 62 runs in arrears after their first innings 318 on the back of half-centuries from Hodge, 53, Keron Cottoy, 56, and Shane Shillingford, 63, was overhauled by the Jaguars, who benefitted from Leon Johnson’s unbeaten 189, and Christopher Barnwell’s 107 to be in a strong position, some 108 runs ahead.

The Volcanoes, after losing Roland Cato on two, steadily set about overhauling the deficit, ending Saturday on 46-1 with Smith on 16 and Hodge on 17.

The two were not to be parted when they resumed on Sunday morning, as an enthralling game of cricket ended in a stalemate.

Smith faced 262 deliveries on his way to 147, while Hodge would score an even hundred from 227 balls.

Smith struck 12 fours and a six on his way to the total, while Hodge was helped to his three figures with 11 boundaries.

For the Jaguars, Keon Joseph ended with figures of 0-21 from 10 overs, Nial Smith had 0-41 also from 10, while first-innings heroes, Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul also ended wicketless, going for 52 runs off 17 and 41 off 19 respectively.

It was also a bad day with the ball for Johnson, who bowled five overs for 25 runs and Barnwell, who could only manage 0-32 from eight overs.

The only bowler to enjoy any form of success was Raymon Reifer, 1-50 off 13 overs.

Reifer trapped Cato leg before wicket late Saturday but toiled in vain on the following day.

The 30-year-old slow left-arm orthodox-spinner has played six Tests for the West Indies after making his debut against Bangladesh in November 2012 but he last played for the West Indies in June 2015 against Australia, having taken 18 wickets in his short Test career.

However, with 50 wickets under his belt, this past season at a miserly 12.98 per wicket, Permaul is hopeful that he has nudged the selectors once more.

“Playing for the West Indies is always my goal every season I play, but I wasn’t finding favour with the West Indies selectors,” he told Sportsmax.TV on Wednesday. “I don’t know how close I am to making the West Indies team but I would think after an excellent season like this one I am not far from playing for the West Indies Indies again.”

His optimism is somewhat tempered by the fact that he did miss his target of 60 wickets for the season even though Cricket West Indies cancelled the last two rounds of the West Indies Championship because of the Coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe.

 “I was on track to achieving my goal. I set myself small goals in the process. I was looking to get three wickets per innings that would take me to 60 if all the games had been played,” said Permaul who had best match figures of 15 for 77 against the Jamaica Scorpions at Florence Hall in February.

“I think I had an excellent season with the ball.  I tried to control my economy rate, be patient and that brought my success.” 

Harding, the leading bowler for champions West Indies Emerging Players in the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup this past November, grabbed 4-77 from 16 overs and Holder, the former West Indies Under-19 World Cup-winning pacer, snared 3-63 from 18.1 overs.

Vishaul Singh added 23 to his overnight score to end with the top score of 79 for the Jags – now placed fourth – and put on 68 for the fourth wicket with Barbados-born, fellow left-hander Raymon Reifer.

But there was little resistance from the rest of the batting once Reifer was caught behind off Holder for 31 from a loose drive and Singh was caught at gully off the same bowler, also essaying a drive.

A stand of 38 for the sixth wicket between Anthony Bramble and Chandrapaul Hemraj either side of lunch stemmed the fall of wickets for almost 45 minutes.

But Harding had Bramble caught at first slip for 19 and hastened the end with the scalps of Hemraj for 42, Veerasammy Permaul and Nial Smith in quick succession before Holder bowled tail-ender Keon Joseph to bring the innings to a close at 258, a lead of 78.

Chasing 79 for victory, Pride lost the scalps of opener Shayne Moseley, their captain and West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite and Player of the Match Jonathan Carter before Shamarh Brooks turned part-time left-arm spinner Hemraj into mid-wicket for a single to formalise the result about a half-hour after tea to move into third place.

Pride had not beaten Jaguars in a Championship match on home soil since a 93-run victory in March 2013; and they have not beaten their opponents in the PCL era since November 2014, when they won by two runs in a tense finish at the Guyana National Stadium.

Scores: Barbados 389 and 79-3, Guyana Jaguars 209 and 258.

Hetmyer had been dropped by the Windies ahead of an away series against Bangladesh after failing a fitness test and was expected to take his place with the Jaguars on Thursday.

However, according to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Hetmyer did not follow the protocol associated with contracted players not on West Indies duties ahead of the game.

“Players who are not on West Indies duties but are contracted to the West Indies are supposed to report to their franchise,” GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie was reported as saying.

“Since returning from West Indies duties he has not reported to the franchise for training … which automatically makes him unavailable,” said Sanasie.

Hetmyer and Windies opener Evin Lewis fell afoul of Windies’ fitness requirements but the team’s chief selector, Roger Harper, had said the Guyanese left-hander was well on his way to getting himself together.

With that in mind, Cricket West Indies had said Hetmyer and Lewis would have been retested in another two weeks.

Next week the Jaguars will go to Grenada where they take on the Windward Islands Volcanoes and Sanasie believes whenever Hetmyer makes himself available, he will be [art of the team.

“We wish him well. Once he has made himself available he would be selected to play for the franchise,” said Sanasie.

Hetmyer scored an unbeaten 67 off 59 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes, as he partnered with Tevin Imlach for an unbroken second-wicket stand of 93 to helped propel Guyana to 155 for 1 from 28.4 overs in reply to the Windwards’ 153 all out.

 Imlach, who scored an unbeaten 37, shared an opening stand of 62 with Chanderpaul Hemaj, who made 41.

Alick Athanaze was the lone wicket-taker for the Windwards with 1-130 from his seven overs.

Earlier, Man-of-the-Match Keon Joseph took 4-24 and Hemraj 2-11 as the Windwards were bundled out for 153 in 45 overs.

Only Kevin Stoute, who scored 41 and Emmanuel Stewart 46 offered any real resistance to the Guyana bowling attack.

Stoute and Stewart put on 60 for the fifth wicket after which Stewart and Kevin Cottoy mounted a 39-run stand for the sixth. Cottoy made 27.

The teams will meet again in the second semi-final on Thursday.

Shepherd also took a wicket and bowled with pace on a good surface at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. He won the CG Insurance Man-of-the-Match award. Guyana batted first and made 235. After a rain break, the target was revised to 232 off 47 overs. Barbados Pride reached 91-5 in the 30th over when the rain returned and brought an end to the match.

Off-spinner Kevin Sinclair, a member of the victorious West Indies Emerging Players team back in 2019, took 2-17 from 7.3 overs as Guyana Jaguars bowled well. His first wicket was opener Justin Greaves, caught at mid-wicket by Hetmyer and the second was Roston Chase, beaten and bowled.

“I’m really pleased with my performance. I have been working really hard on my batting and I was happy with the way I played and the contribution I made to help the team win,” Shepherd said.

“I’m in good shape and the ball is also coming out really well. This was a good victory for us … you always want to start with a win.”

Hodge 171-ball 88 included 12 fours. He and Smith, who scored 77 while sharing an opening stand of 43 with Desron Maloney, put on 130 for the second wicket to lay a solid platform for the Volcanoes.

Hodge also featured in a 44-run with former West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards as the Windwards kept the Scorpions bowlers at bay. He eventually fell to the bowling of Derval Green who was the best of the Jamaican bowlers, ending the day with figures of 3 for 58 from 20 overs.

However, Hodge’s dismissal did not provide an opening for Jamaica as Emmanuel Stewart remained unbeaten on 46 and Keron Cottey (26) will resume batting on Friday morning.

Over at Bridgetown, Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s unbeaten 66 was the foundation for Guyana’s 209 for 8 at stumps as Barbados' Kemar Roach tore through the Jaguars’ batting taking 4 for 28.

There were two wickets each for Johnathan Carter and Jomel Warrican, who were also held up by a stubborn 43 from Kevin Sinclair.

On Monday Guyana bowled the Windwards out for 153 before cruising to 155 for one with 128 balls to spare. It was a victory that would have boosted the confidence of the Jaguars knowing that they would face the same opponents again in the second of the two semi-finals three days later.

However, Johnson, whose side have not won the tournament in 16 years, say they are not taking anything for granted.

“We are not going to be complacent after a good victory on Monday. They have one of the better players, Kavem (Hodge) returning to strengthen their side,” he said.

“Windwards have beaten us in the semi-finals already, a couple of years ago, so obviously they’re not to be taken lightly. They have quality players in their side and in limited-overs cricket, it’s one day so the team that plays better on the day comes out victorious.”

The captain does concede, however, that his side will be under some pressure to break their 16-year drought in the tournament, having last won the 50-over title in 2005.

“Once you’re representing your country or your region there is always some pressure to perform,” he said.
“Guyana is a cricket-loving country and 16 years without a title, and we have produced some good players over the years, is sad to not win a title in 16 years is sad, but we take it one game at a time. But we first have a semi-final hurdle to cross.”

For tomorrow's semi-final, Guyana will bring in all-rounder Raymon Reifer and leg-spinner Veerasammy Permaul to replace wicketkeeper/batsman Kemol Savory and batsman Assad Fudadin.

Match time between the Guyana Jaguars and the Windward Island Volcanoes is set for 1:30 pm (12:30 Jamaica time) at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

Pride were fined for maintaining a slow over-rate against the Jaguars during their second-round match from January 16 to 19 at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

 Johnson was fined and Smith reprimanded for Level 1 breaches of the Code during the fourth-round match between Jaguars and Jamaica Scorpions from February 6 -9, at the Guyana National Stadium.

 Pride were reported by field umpires Danesh Ramdhanie and Christopher Taylor, as well as reserve umpire Troy Tudor, for being three overs short of their target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

 In accordance with Article 2.22 of the Code, which relates to minor over-rate offences, Pride captain Kraigg Brathwaite was fined 30 per cent of his match fee and the other members of the squad were fined 15 per cent of their match fee.

 Brathwaite pleaded guilty to the offence after the match and accepted the proposed sanction from CWI match referee Stephen Proverbs, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

 Under the regulations, minor over-rate offences occur when a team fails to bowl one to five overs short of their target in the allotted time.

 The fine for a captain is 10 per cent of his match fee for every over his side fails to bowl in the allotted time. Other team members are penalised five per cent of their match fee for every over the team fails to bowl in the allotted time.

 Johnson, the Jaguars captain, and pacer Smith admitted to their respective offences and accepted the imposition of the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for formal hearings.

 Johnson and Smith were reported by field umpires Zahid Bassarath and Deighton Butler, as well as reserve umpire, Ryan Banwarie.

 Having considered the umpires’ report, match referee Colin Stuart fined Johnson 15 per cent of his match fee for a breach of Section 2.4 of the Code during the Jaguars’ second innings, when he was dismissed.

 The umpires reported that Johnson stood his ground before leaving the wicket and waved his hands in anger while walking away, when he was adjudged lbw in the 16th over, displaying behaviour that could be deemed as showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by action or verbal abuse.

 Stuart gave Smith a reprimand for the same breach of the Code also during the Jaguars’ second innings, when he was dismissed.

 The umpires reported that Smith stood his ground before leaving the wicket and made a questionable remark, when he was adjudged lbw in the 85th over, also displaying behaviour that could be deemed as showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by action or verbal abuse.

Johnson was 65 not out and shared two successive, significant stands to prop up his side’s batting as the Jaguars closed on 145 for 3 after they had stumbled to 25 for two.

He added 74 for the third wicket with West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer, who got 32, and has added 46 – unbroken – with Christopher Barnwell, not out on 28.

Earlier, Cottoy made 56 and Shillingford hit 53 to give proof that there was a sting in the Volcanoes’ tail after they resumed from their overnight total of 212 for six.

Cottoy and Shillingford became the second and third batsmen to score half-centuries in the Volcanoes’ innings after their captain Kavem Hodge scored 53 on an opening day.

After Cottoy fell to left-arm pacer Raymon Reifer, Shillingford added 57 for the eighth wicket with Shermon Lewis to further frustrate the Jaguars.

But Shillingford was one of three wickets – two to Test left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul – that fell for 23 in 42 balls to bring the innings to a close at 318.

Permaul ended with 4-59 from 33.5 overs and West Indies leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo finished with 3-73 from 20 overs for the Jaguars.

On a warm and calm Saturday night, captain Kieron Pollard had the honour of lifting the Sir Clive Lloyd trophy as his team accomplished the stated mission and showcased their dominance – winning all seven matches.

Simmons made a monumental 146 as the Red Force made a whopping 362-5 off their 50 overs. He hit 15 fours and seven sixes off 145 balls to register the highest score of this year’s tournament, as well as the highest score by a Trinidadian in the 46 years of the event – surpassing the 134 made by Denesh Ramdin in 2013. It was his second century of this year’s tournament and lifted the Trinis to their second-highest score of all time. He was named the CG Insurance Man-of-the-Match.

Such heroics left the Jaguars with a mammoth target and they fell well short, being bowled out for 210 off 43.5 overs. Left-hander Raymon Reifer played brilliantly to end on 97 not out, to follow up his 90 in the semi-final against the Windwards Volcanoes on Thursday night. Fast bowler Ravi Rampaul was again on song with 4-52 off his 10 overs, his second four-for in as many matches, and took him to his 100th List A wicket for Trinidad and Tobago.

Jayden Seales, the 19-year-old pacer brought into the match specifically unsettle the Guyanese, bowled with sustained pace and hostility to end with three wickets – two of which were caught on the leg-side as batsmen attempted hook shots.

Captain Pollard was full of praise for his team and said they were delighted to win all seven matches and take the title.

When Trinidad and Tobago batted, Simmons shared several big partnerships. He added 121 in just 19.1 overs with Evin Lewis (57) and 100 with Darren Bravo (47). After they fell, Simmons shared a third-wicket of 57 in four overs with Nicholas Pooran who entertained with 39 off 15 balls, including four sixes.

In Guyana Jaguars turn at the crease, they were totally blown away by Rampaul and Seales and were tottering at 55-6 at the end of the powerplay. Reifer offered strong rearguard action as he faced 112 balls and hit seven fours and three sixes. He shared a ninth-wicket stand of 71 with Gudakesh Motie (28) which took the score over the 200-mark.

But he was left just short of his maiden century when he exposed last man Nial Smith to a rampaging Seales who cleaned him up with the perfect Yorker, which capped off the perfect match in a perfect campaign.

Resuming the day on 53 for 0, the Jaguars, led by a half-century from Chanderpaul Hemraj (54), added another 124 runs before declaring at 177 for 5. Vishaul Singh was unbeaten after adding a patient 37 from 74.

In pursuit of a mammoth 402 to win, the Red Force were in early trouble when pace bowler Keon Joseph struck twice.  Keagan Simmons was the first to go after being caught by Anthony Bramble off the bowling of Joseph in the second over.  Darren Bravo only managed to put two runs on the board before falling to Joseph in the next two overs.  Opener Jeremy Solozano (34) steadied the ship after forming a partnership with Jason Mohammed (33) as the pair put on 62 for the third wicket.  The partnership was, however, broken when Solozano was dismissed lbw by Kevin Sinclair with Jason Mohammed falling to Permaul soon after. 

Permaul further rocked the middle order after having Joshua Da Silva (8) caught by Leon Johnson.  The spinner has so far claimed six wickets in the match so far.  Yannic Cariah put 27 runs on the board but was dismissed lbw by Devendra Bishoo.  Yannick Ottley (13) and  Akeal Hosein (5) close the day as the not out batsmen with a further 280 runs needed for safety.

Led by a half-century from Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood the Scorpions appeared to be on course for a more promising total at 118 for three.  Permaul, however, then grabbed 7-59 from 30.5 overs to destroy the Scorpions batting.

Having racked up wins in their two previous matches, the Scorpions were dismissed about 25 minutes before the close of play.  Blackwood led the way with a typically flamboyant 59, his third half-century in four innings, and Denis Smith made 23 and was the only other Scorpions batsman that passed 20.

 Scorpions were 60 for three when Blackwood and Nkrumah Bonner put on 58 for the fourth wicket.

But there was little resistance be found in the Scorpions batting line-up after Blackwood was dismissed lbw to Permaul, the home team found themselves wobbling on 156 for five.

There was to be no comeback for the Scorpions, and they lost their last five wickets – three to Permaul – for 44.  The spinner has carried his tally of wickets to 37 this season.

They had a comfortable six-wicket victory over Guyana Jaguars on Saturday night at Coolidge Cricket Ground in a top-of-the-table clash. Guyana, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat but remain in second place on 12 points from four matches.

Leg-spinner Imran Khan took a career-best five-wicket haul to bowl out Guyana for 187 after they were 106 without loss.

Playing his 50th List A match, Khan ran through the middle-order with a spell of 5-32, as the last nine wickets tumbled for 81 runs. He was named the CG Insurance Man-of-the-Match.

For Guyana, opener Chandrapaul Hemraj played some brilliant strokes as he reached 87 off 83 balls with six sixes, but was one of Khan's victims, as he tried to cut a ball that was too close and was well caught behind by Denesh Ramdin.

Then, under the lights, half-centuries from Jason Mohammed and Darren Bravo ensured Red Force finished the job as they reached 189-4 in the 41st over.

Mohammed scored an unbeaten 82 off 114 balls with eight boundaries. In the process, he reached 2,000 runs in the 50-over format for Trinidad and Tobago.

Left-hander Bravo, who was stand-in captain, also batted well and made 58 from 77 balls – his 36th half-century in the List A format. He hit six fours a six and calmly helped Mohammed add 112 in 23 overs for the third wicket.

“It feels great to get five wickets for my country, my first five-for in this tournament as well. I tried to keep it simple, that’s my style, and it worked for me. To win five out of five is just what we wanted. I know we will be ready for it (semi-finals). I see myself as someone to make a contribution in any way the team requires and always ready when the captain calls on me,” Khan said after the match.

Upcoming matches

Sunday: Barbados Pride vs Jamaica Scorpions at Coolidge Cricket Ground 1:30 pm (12:30 pm Jamaica Time)

Monday: Guyana Jaguars vs Windward Islands Volcanos at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium at 9 am (8 am Jamaica Time).