[www.inewsguyana.com] – Veteran West Indies left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul narrowly missed out on a hundred as he anchored Guyana Jaguars into the final of the NAGICO Super50 late Thursday night.
The 40-year-old stroked an invaluable unbeaten 98 as Jaguars, chasing 189 for victory, reached their target in the penultimate over, to seal a six-wicket victory over Jamaica Franchise in the first semi-final.
In a spot of bother at 90 for four in the 32nd over, Jaguars were rescued by a 99-run, unbroken fifth wicket stand between Chanderpaul and Royston Crandon, who finished on 45 not out.
Chanderpaul faced 142 balls in a well-paced innings and counted six fours while Crandon was more adventurous, striking three fours and a six off 51 deliveries.
Off-spinner John Campbell was the best Jamaica bowler with three for 20.
Earlier, Horace Miller stroked his maiden regional one-day half-century but Jamaica could only muster 188 for nine off their 50 overs.
Sent in to bat, Jamaica never really found momentum and were restricted in their quest for a big score at the Queen’s Park Oval, despite Miller’s top score of 64.
The 25-year-old right-hander faced 79 balls and struck seven fours and a six, while openers Nkrumah Bonner with 24, and Campbell, 21, chipped in.
However, no other batsman passed 20.
Bonner and Campbell put on 51 for the first wicket and when Jamaica slumped to 54 for four in the 19th over, Miller anchored three small partnerships to get the score up to one of respectability.
He put on 25 for the fifth wicket with Andre McCarthy (13), 32 for the sixth wicket with David Bernard Jr (14) and a further 39 for the seventh wicket with Derval Green (11).
Guyana were led by their slow bowlers, with leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo picking up three for 33 and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul finishing with three for 38. (Windies Cricket)
