Jaguars hoping to stay ahead of the pack

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (CMC):

Front-runners Guyana Jaguars are hoping to exploit home advantage against rivals Barbados Pride in a top of the table clash when the Regional Four-Day Competition enters its fourth round here this weekend.

Jaguars, the reigning champions, are facing a reinforced Pride in a day/night encounter at the Guyana National stadium from Friday, following a short break in the tournament.

Table-toppers

Despite a below par performance so far, Jaguars are leading the points table on 33.6 points, 0.2 more than second place Pride.

"It is important that we press home any advantage we have. We know that Barbados are very fierce opponents over the years, but obviously we know the conditions better than they," said head coach Esaun Crandon, a former Guyana fast bowler who took 90 wickets from 38 First-Class games.

"We had the opportunity to play a day/night game in St Lucia, so we know what to expect during the day and what to expect during the night, but overall we need to play better cricket than Barbados."

Strengthened for clash

Pride have been strengthened for their clash with the back-to-back champions with five West Indies players returning to the 13-man squad.

Opener Kraigg Brathwaite, who has taken over from all-rounder Kevin Stoute as captain, will be joined by left-hander Jonathan Carter, wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, batsman Shai Hope and off-spinning all-rounder Ashley Nurse.

"Obviously, the game is very important for us taking into consideration we are just .2 points ahead," Crandon was quoted by the Guyana Chronicle as saying.