By Tony Becca, Contributing EditorJAMAICA TAKE on the Leeward Islands in the final game of the preliminary round of the regional Carib Beer cricket series at Alpart today.
Although the Cup will be staying in Barbados and they have no chance of winning it, even though they have already booked a place in the semi-finals of the International Challenge, Jamaica, bolstered by the presence of top batsman Chris Gayle and fiery pacer Daren Powell, will be going all out for victory.
According to the rules governing the competition, the team that finishes at the top of the standings will host the team finishing fourth, the team finishing second will host the team finishing third, and with Barbados leading by 32 points and guaranteed the top spot after their impressive six wins from six for a staggering 72 points, with home advantage so important in the regional competitions, the battle now is for second place between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago on 40 points each and the Windward Islands who are on 36.
Although Guyana, on 28 points, could ease out the Windward Islands if they defeat Kenya and the Windward Islands fail to defeat West Indies B, although they could end up tied with Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago if they win and both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago fail to add to their tally, Jamaica would still finish in the top four by virtue of their victory over Guyana.
Apart from staying away from Barbados in the semi-finals, Jamaica's hope is to play at home. To do that, they have to finish in second place, and although they could still do so if they lose, if Trinidad also lose, and if the Windward Islands lose first innings points in a drawn game, they cannot take a chance.
Although it may not matter in the end, victory, therefore, is Jamaica's aim, and with the Leeward Islands coming off an innings and 48 runs hiding by Barbados and at the bottom of the standings on 16 points and without a chance, they should hit the bull's eye.
NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY
As bad as they have been playing, however, and although they are out of the running, the Leeward Islands would love to finish on a winning note and should not be taken lightly not with batsmen like Shane Jeffers, Sylvester Joseph, Tonito Willett, Wilden Cornwall and now the experienced Ridley Jacobs in their line-up.
Also not with allrounder Carl Tuckett around, not with bowlers like pacers Adam Sanford and Kerry Jeremy, offspinner Chakka Hodge and left-arm spinner Virgil Browne in their attack, and not if Jamaica remember that they rattled up 718 for seven against Kenya with Joseph scoring 195, Tuckett 142 and the absent Stuart Williams 105 run out.
