Bookmark Jamaica-Gleaner.com
Go-Jamaica Gleaner Classifieds Discover Jamaica Youth Link Jamaica
Business Directory Go Shopping inns of jamaica Local Communities

Home
Lead Stories
News
Business
Sport
Commentary
Letters
Entertainment
The Shipping Industry
Lifestyle
The Star
E-Financial Gleaner
Overseas News
The Voice
Communities
Hospitality Jamaica
Google
Web
Jamaica- gleaner.com

Services
Archives
Find a Jamaican
Library
Weather
Subscriptions
News by E-mail
Newsletter
Print Subscriptions
Interactive
Chat
Dating & Love
Free Email
Guestbook
ScreenSavers
Submit a Letter
WebCam
Weekly Poll
About Us
Advertising
Gleaner Company
Other News
Stabroek News

No ease-up
published: Tuesday | February 1, 2005

By Tym Glaser, Associate Editor - Sport


Jamaica's fast bowler Daren Powell (left) celebrates with wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jr. after claiming a wicket during the Carib Beer Series cricket match Guyana at Kensington Park. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

THE JAMAICA cricket team is charging though the Carib Beer Series competition.

After four games, the Jamaicans boast a perfect record and are way out in front of the standings with 48 points and would need to suffer a collapse of epic proportions to miss out on a berth in the competition's final.

Their latest triumph was a phenomenal innings and 67-run beatdown of Guyana at Kensington Park, which ended on Sunday.

One would think coach Robert Haynes would be thrilled with the way things have gone so far for his charges but, after Sunday's triumph, he said there was still room for improvement from his young side and he warned there would be no let up when they take on Trinidad and Tobago in their fifth-round clash which starts tomorrow at Alpart, St. Elizabeth.

"I think it's been a very good start for us and the guys have been playing excellent cricket. We have a very good unit and the batsmen really used the wicket well in this game," the coach said.

"However, there is still room for improvement. (Donovan) Pagon hasn't scored a hundred; he has to concentrate some more ­ he got out to a very soft shot. The captain (Tamar Lambert) has been getting to a lot of 50s and has been batting very well but his concentration is a problem but we can work on that in the nets.

"In the bowling department, I think they have been doing very well. This (Guyana) is probably the first team to get over 190 runs against us. (Daren) Powell leads from the front and young (Dwight) Washington claimed four wickets and (Dwight) Stuart bowled decently and (David) Bernard always bowls well but I think the pick of the bowlers all the time is Nikita Miller.

"He's the one who keeps it tight and is doing an excellent job," Haynes said assessing the side.

While the Kensington Park pitch could probably have been played upon for a few more days without creating any great concern for batsmen, the Alpart strip, which is more spinner friendly, could prompt a few changes to the rampaging Jamaica side.

Rested paceman Jerome Taylor could come in for one of the Dwights while legspinner Odean Brown may replace the other.

"We have a squad of 15 to choose from and we will make that decision when the time comes," Haynes said.

"The thing is that at the start of the season, we said we had 11 games to win. Although we are well clear, we have to take every game at a time. We have to go out and play the cricket we are accustomed to.

"We are very positive and the guys want to win."

More Sport | | Print this Page















© Copyright 1997-2004 Gleaner Company Ltd. | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Letters to the Editor | Suggestions
Home - Jamaica Gleaner