Singh’s unbeaten century rescues Jaguars on day one

VISHAUL Singh slammed his second first-class century against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes as his defiant innings pushed Guyana Jaguars to 218-5 at stumps on day one of their WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional 4-day match at the Guyana National Stadium.Singh is unbeaten on 111 with Christopher Barnwell (19) at the other end. Hurricanes used eight bowlers yesterday but West Indies Under-19 fast bowler Alazarri Joseph stood out as he tore through the defending champions’ top order.
The visitors won the toss but gave the home side first strike. Assad Fudadin got Guyana their first five runs of the match then fell leg-before-wicket to Joseph. The very next delivery the Guyanese captain Leon Johnson nicked a lively delivery from Joseph to Orlando Peters at second slip without scoring, Jaguars were 16-2.
Five runs later, Rajendra Chandrika (7) was back in the pavilion, another victim of Joseph, caught by Steve Liburd at first slip. The 18-year-old pacer eventually ended the day with 3-44 from 13 overs.
Singh and Shivnarine Chanderpaul took Guyana to lunch at 76-2 and began the repair in the second session. They featured in a 171-run partnership that lasted the session after lunch and nearly the entire final session before the latter fell to Jacques Taylor.
At tea Guyana were 135-3, a well-staged recovery.
As they approached the 200-run mark Chanderpaul (65) came forward to defend and pushed one to Daron Cruickshank at cover who took a good out-stretched catch to break the partnership.
Raymon Reifer entered with the score on 192-4 and was bowled by Rakeem Cornwall for duck. Christopher Barnwell replaced him and had a shaky start but got into his stride and made it to the close of play after some 94 overs were bowled for the day.