PowellIT'S CRUNCH time for the four top teams in this year's Capital and Credit Merchant Bank limited overs competition when the semi-finals get underway today.
Hosts Kingston and defending one-day champions Jamaica Defence Force square off at Sabina Park while St. Catherine CC and Westmoreland clash at Allan Rae Oval, Westmoreland. The final will be played on Sunday at Sabina Park.
Kingston, St. Catherine CC and JDF have not dropped a point in the preliminary round matches. Westmoreland's last match against Melbourne was abandoned and both teams picked up a point.
The Tigers (Kingston) defeated Police, St. Catherine Parish, Manchester and Hanover in Zone B, while their opponents JDF reached the semis with wins over Trelawny, Boys' Town and St. Ann. Their game against St. James was not played but they got the points because the field at Jarrett Park was not prepared.
Westmoreland, who have reached the past two national two-day finals, beat Portland, St. Mary and Kensington, while their game against Melbourne ended in a no-result. St. Catherine secured victories against Clarendon, St. Elizabeth, St. Thomas and Lucas.
JDF's first hurdle is their aim to achieve a second consecutive triumph away from home today. However, the Tigers are very strong on paper and have also proved that on the field.
There also should be some extra cause for worry in the JDF camp as the batsman expected to dominate this final four, Ricardo Powell, scored heavily at the start and then went into a slump.
However, the hard-hitting batsman, a former West Indies player, scored 58 off 26 deliveries in the Jamaica Cricket Association's practice match yesterday at Goodyear Oval.
Powell is expected to get good support from Matthew Sinclair, Raymond Ferguson, Lloyd Black and Nehemiah Perry, while pacers Audley Sanson, Andrew Richardson and Dwight Mais and spinners Kerry Scott and Perry will lead the bowling.
JDF have the services of consistent batsmen Wayne Cuff, Mel Wint, Marlon Kennedy and Anthony Folkes, while pacer Warren Medwynter and spinner Paul Brown may have their hands full.
In the other match-up, St. Catherine CC will be aware that it is very difficult to come away with an away win against Westmoreland because they have not lost at home this season.
However, with promising young batsmen like Tamar Lambert, Danza Hyatt, Dean and David Morgan, St. Catherine may fancy their chances against the home attack, which includes Cleveland Davidson, Myron Wilson and pacer Evon McInnis.
Westmoreland will once again hope that their seasoned campaigners, Davidson, Raul Wynter, Dwayne Ewart, Wilson and Marlon Jamison can prevent legspinner Odean Brown, Lambert, Ephrain McLeod and Phillip Wright from rising to the occasion.
- Anthony Foster
Powell is expected to get good support from Matthew Sinclair, Raymond Ferguson, Lloyd Black and Nehemiah Perry, while pacers Audley Sanson, Andrew Richardson and Dwight Mais and spinners Kerry Scott and Perry will lead the bowling.
JDF have the services of consistent batsmen Wayne Cuff, Mel Wint, Marlon Kennedy and Anthony Folkes, while pacer Warren Medwynter and spinner Paul Brown may have their hands full.
In the other match-up, St. Catherine CC will be aware that it is very difficult to come away with an away win against Westmoreland because they have not lost at home this season.
However, with promising young batsmen like Tamar Lambert, Danza Hyatt, Dean and David Morgan, St. Catherine may fancy their chances against the home attack, which includes Cleveland Davidson, Myron Wilson and pacer Evon McInnis.
Westmoreland will once again hope that their seasoned campaigners, Davidson, Raul Wynter, Dwayne Ewart, Wilson and Marlon Jamison can prevent legspinner Odean Brown, Lambert, Ephrain McLeod and Phillip Wright from rising to the occasion.
- Anthony Foster
