Barnwell, Reifer safely see off Canada challenge

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Evergreen all-rounder Chris Barnwell agonisingly missed out on a maiden List A hundred as Guyana Jaguars picked up their second win of the Regional Super50 by easily brushing aside minnows Canada by seven wickets here on Tuesday night.

Chasing 203 for victory at the Brian Lara Stadium, Jaguars recovered from a concerning position of 51 for three in the eighth over to reach their target in the 30th over in a match reduced to 47 overs per side due to rain.

The 31-year-old Barnwell smashed an unbeaten 99 while West Indies all-rounder Raymon Reifer stroked exactly 50 not out in an unbroken 153-run, fourth wicket stand that dashed any hopes Canada entertained of an upset.

Canada had earlier ridden on opener Navneet Dhaliwal's top score of 88 to get up to 202 for nine after choosing to bat first.

The 30-year-old right-hander faced 109 balls and struck seven fours and three sixes to help pull Canada out of trouble at 15 for two in the fifth over.

He anchored a 45-run, third-wicket stand with Harsh Thaker (11) and put on a further 43 for the fourth wicket with Nitish Kumar (14) before adding 59 for the fifth wicket with in-form captain Davy Jacobs, who made 44 from 66 deliveries with three fours.

Dhaliwal's dismissal in the 38th over, however, led to a slide, where Canada lost five wickets for 37 runs.

New-ball seamers Clinton Pestano (2-30) and Reifer (2-33), along with leg-spinner Ramaal Lewis (2-30), all finished with two wickets.

The victory saw Jaguars continue in second spot on Group B on 10 points, three behind unbeaten leaders Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.