Shillingford shines in historic tie

Ex-West Indies off-spinner Shane Shillingford snatched his 40th five-wicket haul as Windward Islands Volcanoes stunned leaders Guyana Jaguars to earn the first tie in 152 years for the regional first-class championship here yesterday.

Resuming on 104 for four in pursuit of 164, Jaguars were dismissed with scores level to create a slice of history at the National Stadium.

The odds at the start of the final day of the sixth-round contest would have been on the threetime defending champions but Shillingford snapped up five for 47 to earn Volcanoes a share of the honours.

Left-arm pacer Delorn Johnson, who grabbed two wickets the previous evening, ended with three for 45.

Left-hander Vishaul Singh, unbeaten on 48 at the start, carried Jaguars’ hopes of victory, but he added just eight before perishing in the fifth over of the morning, lbw to Shillingford for a top score of 56.

NO SUPPORT

Wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble then led the Jaguars with 45 but found no support, and he was dramatically last out, lbw to Shillingford with just one run needed for victory.

The right-hander’s knock was a busy one, requiring 54 balls and striking five fours.

With 47 runs still required when Vishaul fell, Jaguars lost Sherfane Rutherford (2) and Keemo Paul (3) cheaply before Bramble added an invaluable 20 for the eighth wicket with Veerasammy Permaul (5), that put them on the brink of victory.

But Shillingford knocked over Permaul and Gudakesh Motie (0) in the space of three deliveries before striking the deadly blow by getting rid of Bramble.