ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — Franchises are pumped up and anxious for battle as the curtain rises on a newly revamped regional first-class season at three venues across the Caribbean today.

Sabina Park in Jamaica, Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, just outside the capital Georgetown are hosting the first of 10 rounds of matches in the Professional Cricket League (PCL).

The 10 rounds of four-day first-class cricket are an expansion from the previous format organised by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) as part of a broader plan to boost the sport.

“We think we have a very good chance. We came second to Barbados earlier this year,” declared new Trinidad and Tobago Red Force skipper Rayad Emrit.

“So it is a new season but I still think with the type of team we have, we have a very good chance of capturing the title this year.”

Red Force’s opening round is a clash at home with reigning double-crown regional champions Barbados Pride.

The spectre of an encounter between the two sides are expected to trigger heightened interest since it represents one of the oldest rivalries in Caribbean sports.

“It’s going to be a very long season, we are starting at home. Obviously our toughest opponents over the past four, five years is Barbados. We have them at home to start,” Emrit said.

“And hopefully we can get things right this time around and build the momentum from here. We welcome the two rounds. If you falter at the beginning you can always make up at the end.”

There is also special significance attached to the other two first-round matches.

Jamaica Franchise face Windward Islands Volcanoes at Sabina Park in the Jamaica capital of Kingston in a repeat of last season’s Final Challenge.

The Jamaicans are the current holders of the Headley/Weekes Trophy which was given to the winner of last season’s Final Challenge.

And Guyana Jaguars meet Leeward Islands Franchise at the Guyana National Stadium in a battle that could give a boost of confidence to last season’s two bottom-placed teams.

“I could see the team doing quite well. I believe we have a strong team. It’s just about the fellas going out there and working hard and gelling together as a team,” said Kraigg Brathwaite, the Barbados Pride captain.

“Once the fellas relax and go out there and perform, supporting one another, we can do well. We need to support one another and keep that team spirit going.”

The team accumulating the highest number of points over the gruelling four-month schedule will be crowned new regional champions and would claim the Headley/Weekes Trophy.

The new first-class format has been hailed as one capable of producing better quality cricketers in the Caribbean.

“It will be good. The guys will get to play a lot of games,” said Brathwaite.

“It will be very helpful, as we play more that is where we improve, so I think it should be very good for the region.”