Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer
IF YOU are anywhere near Kensington Park this weekend, don't be surprised if you feel the earth shaking because the islands' two cricketing giants, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and Manchester, will be rumbling for the coveted Supreme Ventures Super Cup title.
It promises to be big - a three-day match-up of league winners Manchester and runners-up the JDF. Both teams qualified for the final which starts today with first-innings victories two weekends ago. The JDF clipped Melbourne's wings and Manchester stopped Kingston in their respective semi-finals.
The final, originally scheduled for last weekend, was not played due to Hurricane Dennis' untimely visit but for the JDF, another Dennis, one of the Kamal variety, is expected to run rampage in this encounter if Hurricane Emily stays away.
The former West Indies Under-15 cricketer has been the top all-rounder this season with 333 runs and 35 wickets for his side and enters this weekend's game fresh from a shot-filled innings of 132 against Melbourne in the semi-finals.
PRIZE BULL
The powerfully-built fast bowler has also picked up two five-wicket hauls, which makes him the prize bull in this encounter.
Manchester will not be looking at him as anyone better than a rabbit with the bat. According to their captain, Matthew Sinclair, "We are not perturbed by his batting. It is really his bowling that should be a concern."
Apart from Kamal Dennis, both teams boast quality players who, if they wake up on the right side of the bed, can determine the outcome of the game.
Manchester, with the enviable record of being the only team to complete the league this season without dropping first innings points, have two centurions in Sinclair and Orville Pennant in their line-up.
And there is also the likes of Donavan Sinclair, Ziggy Levy, Cory Simpson and Gary Graham, all of whom have been consistent this season with the bat while their left-arm spinner, Andre Dwyer, has been nothing short of superb thus far. Dwyer has worked wonders with the ball claiming 44 scalps in just 11 games while Donovan Sinclair with his legspin, has been a more than good support bowler with 25 wickets.
Meanwhile, for JDF, Dennis, Mel Wint (305) and Mark Gray (309), Wayne Cuff (278), Anthony Folkes (263), Andel Daley (256) and Howard Copeland (201) have all been consistent scorers.
In the bowling department, Dennis' fellow paceman Warren Medwynter (25 wickets), Cuff (22), Gray (21) and Copeland (15) have provided good support and should continue doing so this weekend.
ONLY WORRY
When The Gleaner spoke with Cuff yesterday, the team was going though some batting drills at Up Park Camp with a view to sharpening this aspect of their game, which the captain says, has been his only worry.
Nonetheless, the upbeat captain said: "We are looking forward to this weekend. We know that in order for us to beat Manchester we have to exploit them in every department because they are very good," Cuff said.
"Manchester is a team you cannot take for granted. They are a very good team but this is not the first final we will be going to and we know what to expect. We have won many trophies and hopefully we can come out, play good cricket and add this one to the kitty as well," Cuff added.
Meanwhile, Sinclair though confident about his team's chances, is not throwing caution to the wind.
"We really need it. The team that plays the best cricket over the next three days will win and we aim to come out and play good positive cricket," Sinclair said.
"It has been a long time since we won a major title and the players want to do themselves and the parish of Manchester proud," he added.
It will be the second meeting for the teams this season after their preliminary round game at Up Park Camp ended in a draw. JDF just managed to survive on that occasion after they were skittled out for their lowest score this season, 76, in the first innings and were only able to hold on at the end, thanks to rain.
