Ja, B’dos in big title showdown
ST AUGUSTINE, Trinidad (CMC) — Giants Jamaica and Barbados will clash today in a match that could determine the outcome of the WICB regional first-class championship.
Title-holders Jamaica, unbeaten this season, will enter the sixth-round clash at the Frank Worrell Memorial Ground as favourites. They are three points ahead of Barbados on 48 points and an outright win will assure them of their third successive four-day title.
With Barbados having a bye in next week’s final round, they will be under pressure to win, but Jamaica’s coach Junior Bennett said his side would be focused on executing their game.
“This is a big match for us. We have played some good, consistent cricket throughout the entire tournament, so we’re just looking to go out there and execute efficiently,” Bennett told CMC Sports yesterday.
“Both teams have done well so far… and… know how important this game is for them, so we’re just looking to… play good, consistent cricket.”
Jamaica have been the form team this season with four wins in as many matches. Their batsmen, however, struggled in their last outing against CCC in Guyana, but Bennett said this was not to be mistaken for a decline.
“We always struggle at the Providence Ground in Guyana because of the low bounce and the way the surface plays,” Bennett explained.
“We’ve put that behind us and we’re just focusing on the Barbados match right now.”
Barbados boast a strong line-up led by captain Ryan Hinds who has already compiled 412 runs and left-arm seamer Pedro Collins who has snatched 20 wickets.
Barbados, meanwhile, will be aiming to grab outright points in the contest, overhaul the leaders and then hope Jamaica stumble in their final round match against Trinidad & Tobago.
SQUADS
BARBADOS — Ryan Hinds (captain), Sulieman Benn, Tino Best, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, Pedro Collins, Shane Dowrich, Corey Edwards, Kirk Edwards, Jason Haynes, Jason Holder, Dale Richards, Kevin Stoute.
JAMAICA — Tamar Lambert (captain), Carlton Baugh Jr, David Bernard Jr, Nkrumah Bonner, Bevon Brown, Odean Brown, John Ross Campbell, Jason Dawes, Danza Hyatt, Donovan Pagon, Brenton Parchment, Andrew Richardson, Andre Russell.