By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Santokie ... expected to step up to the challenge. - File
A KEEN battle is expected between hosts Jamaica and Guyana, while Windward Islands will have an easy assignment against Canada when the final preliminary matches of the 2002 West Indies Under-19 cricket tournament begin today.
Jamaica and Guyana will journey to the Kensington Park for their showdown, while 2000 champions the Windward Islands and Canada will square off at Melbourne Oval in the two Zone A matches.
Trinidad and Tobago face Barbados in their Zone B top-of-the-table clash at Chedwin Park and in a match of academic interest, dethroned champions Leeward Islands take on 'Rest of Americas' at UWI.
The Jamaicans, fresh from an crushing innings and 41-run victory over lightweights Canada, appear to have one of the best all-round teams in the competition, but the Guyanese will be seeking to rise to the occasion.
Even though the young Jamaicans are at home and will have the crowd support, The Guyanese will be no pushovers. Both teams will depend heavily on the batting and the home team looks stronger on paper.
Openers Simon Jackson (19, five & 86), who came into in own against Canada in their last game, Xavier Marshall (66, one & 32), along with skipper Shawn Findlay (23 & 102), all-rounder Krishmar Santokie (74 & three not out) and Howard Powell (14 & 35 not out) should once again step up to the challenge.
Jamaica's only concerns will be the injury to fast bowler Jowayne Robinson, who picked up 6-11 against Canada and, Sherman Gordon, who still failed to bowl like a opening pacer. There should be some faith in the attack though because Santokie has already taken eight wickets in the competition, off-spinner Wayne Simpson also has eight and with the fastest bowler, Jerome Taylor, yet to play, things do not look too bad.
Guyana will be hoping Assad Fudadin (103) and Moshin Perkhan (66 not out) perform as they did against the Windward Islands in the second round. Throw in Delberth Hicks and they should fancy their chances of at least first innings points, which would be enough to take them into the semi-finals.
The Guyanese bowlers, Zaheer Mohammed, who took 11 wickets in the first round against Canada, Brian Stephney and Jeremiah Harris are aware that nothing less than first innings points will do.
The other Zone A match between Canada and the Windward Islands should see the latter come out winners. Liam Sebastian, who scored 125 and 57 not out, against Guyana, Gary Mathurin, Ezikel Francis and pacer Jean Paul seem to be coming into their own.
