Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
JAMAICA'S COACH, Robert Haynes, believes his team is peaking at the right time ahead of today's opening Carib Beer Series match against the Leeward Islands at Kensington Park.
"I honestly believe that these guys are ready to play cricket," Haynes, who led the team to the regional four-day double last season, said.
"Right now I think the condition of the players is at about 95 per cent and we will get the extra five when the game starts," he said.
The coach warned not to get distracted by the fact that the selected fast bowlers only got 10 wickets between them in the three practice matches.
"Although the fast bowlers did not get a lot of wickets ... they have been bowling with pace and accuracy," Haynes said.
"What has been pleasing for me is to see the batsmen in the practice games batting for over four to six hours and getting centuries - big centuries," he said.
Three batsmen, Tamar Lambert with two centuries, Shawn Findlay and Brenton Parchment, were the century-makers. Haynes also believes that with the help of Andre Coley, the fielding standard has improved tremendously and he thinks 'the guys are ... really fit."
SPECIALIST BATSMEN
"In that 13-man squad we have seven specialist batsmen with Carlton Baugh probably at number seven; three spinners in Gareth Breese, Nikita Miller and Odean Brown and in the fast bowling department you have Jerome Taylor, Washington (Dwight), Richardson (Andrew) and Bernard (David), so I think it's a very balanced team.
"There is also a lot of experience there ... I am looking forward to a good game."
He also believes playing the three spinners could be the trump card against the Leeward Islands who have struggled against spin.
Taylor (groin), Bernard (foot), Washington (ankle) and Breese (knee) are carrying niggling injuries, but Haynes said it was "nothing to stop them from playing cricket".
