By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Jamaica (above) and Guyana Carib Beer Series squads arrive at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday, three days ahead of their second-round clash at Sabina Park. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
FOLLOWING THEIR disappointing showing in the opening round Carib Beer Series match against the Windward Island in St. Lucia, Jamaica, accompanied by second-round opponents, Guyana, arrived in the island yesterday.
Although they lost first innings in the drawn game, new captain Gareth Breese said there were some positives to take from the match.
"We had a lot of good performances coming out of the game, especially from the new guys," explained Breese, who took charge of the side from Robert Samuels.
No Jamaican player scored a century in the game, however Breese believes debutant Tamar Lambert (38 and 76), makeshift opener Keith Hibbert (29, 50), Donovan Pagon (29, 46), David Bernard (18, 55), Nehemiah Perry (30, 32) and left-arm spinner Ryan Cunningham's seven wickets (4-27 and 3-62) bode well for the future.
"I am fairly happy as captain that these guys have had these performances. Their confidence will be boosted going into the second match", Breese said.
However, while Breese anticipated a much improved game, Guyana's coach, Albert Smith, will not settle for less than eight points (first innings) after his team lost outright by 10 wickets to series favourites Barbados in the first round.
"We expect to do much better than the first game ... we were a bit disappointed with our batting, but in the second innings we had some positives and we are looking forward to Friday's game," Smith told The Gleaner during his team practice session at Sabina Park yesterday.
"We are looking for some points (at least first innings) from this game, we are going to play hard cricket," he said.
Although he will be looking for points, Breese said: "Guyana always have a good team, despite the fact that they lost outright to Barbados, it should be a tough game.
Breese pointed the finger at his bowlers for the St. Lucian disappointment.
"They were not bowling enough wicket-taking deliveries," he said.
