Jenkins and Cole give Guyana first ever Four Day win
First round rookie Jack Jenkins and Season 4 sensation Yousef Cole have respectively batted and bowled Guyana into the record books by leading Guyana to a six wicket win in their second round four day fixture against Northern Districts.
Guyana won the toss and elected to bat on typically seaming wicket at Westpac Park. It wasn't a good start for Guyana when Francis (1) and Ardley (3) were removed early, both by H Lacey (3-66). This brought round one hero Jayawardne to the crease. Jayawardne and Love looked comfortable on a pitch that was still offering assistance to the bolwers, but looking flatter by the over. It wasn't until Lacey returned to the attack did ND find a much needed breakthrough, Jayawardne saw one too early and spooned a simple catch to mid-on, he was out for 18 and Guyana walking a familiar path 3-60.
Jack Jenkins has been batting beautifully this season, but has not been converting his 30s and 40s into big scores. He was peppered early by the ND attack and was given some heckling by the ND bullies that could be heard in the back stands. With Love, playing a great captain's knock he was able to calm Jenkins as the two proceeded to smash the ND bowlers around the park with a 174 run partnership, that put Guyana firmly on the front foot. The partnership was broken by the ever realiable S Khan who took a stunning return catch to remove Love for 100 a ball after he reached the milestone. The entertainment didn't stop there, Jenkins was relishing the now flat pitch a proceeded to treat the ND bowlers with disdain and fullfilled the promise he has shown in the academy last year. He combined well with wicket keeper Marwood (49) to take the total past 400 and then continued on to his own milestone and reached his 200 early on day two. Fittingly Jenkins was left not out on 201 and received gracious applause from the knowledgeable ND crowd.
Guyana knew their job was not done yet, they had scored a similar score against Jamaica in round one and did not capitilse, however it was not to be on this occasion. Perrera (3-58) and MacKenzie (1-21) combined brilliantly to expose the ND middle order, and it was then that Yousef Cole struck. Three quick wickets had ND in terrible trouble 5-75, and a trouncing appeared on the cards. Warner (38) and Perera (62) then saved face combining for a 97 run partnership, however it was not enough as the ND tail sucumbed to the Guyanan bowlers to be all out for 241 and trailing 212 runs on the first innings, Guyanan captain Love had no hesitation in enforcing the follow on.
ND would have to face a few overs left on day two and they did so comfortably. Day three arrived, and it was Cole again who had the ball on a string. ND started well and at one stage looked like setting Guyana a low, but somewhat challenging total at 5-211. However, Cole had other ideas, with the pitch taking more turn and the ND tail exposed Cole set about finishing off the innings and the last 5 wickets fell for 64 runs, leaving Guyana 65 runs to win with well over a day to play. Cole took 6-49 and finished with 10-95 for the match.
Guyana lost four wickets in the chase, but were never in trouble, McKenzie brought up the winning runs with a lovely four off S Khan, and it wasn't long before both he and Jayawardne were in the dressing room sinking some well earned Ales.
Guyana 453
Jenkins 201*
Love 100
S Khan 4-87
Lacey 3-66
Northern Districts 241
Perera 62
Y Cole 4-46
Perrera 3-58
Northern Districts (f/o) 275
Fleming 78
Warner 45
Y Cole 6-49
Guyana 4-65
Ardley 17
Z Khan 2-14
Guyana won by 6 wickets.
MOM J Jenkins.