Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Jamaica's head coach of the senior cricket team, Junior Bennett, is all fired up by the form shown by his pace bowlers as they restarted preparations for the regional four-day and one-day tournaments after the Christmas break.

"We had a good training session today," he said after their first workout after the break on Wednesday evening at Melbourne Oval.

"The players are in good spirits, they are looking good. We just hope they carry it into the tournament," he said.

"I was impressed with the pace our fast bowlers bowled with this afternoon. I think Jerome (Taylor), Daren (Powell) and (Jermaine) Lawson bowled extremely well and quick this afternoon and if they continue in that vein, then we should be able to get 20 wickets in a match," he said.

Bennett also believes fielding will be a crucial element in his team's quest to win both regional competitions.

As a result, the coach made it clear that over the next few days fielding; will be an integral part of their training sessions.

"We have to look at our fielding, the plan every day is to do some fielding ... because if you look at the competitions, both versions playing simultaneously, it's going to be hectic. We believe that the best fielding team will definitely do well in the tournament," Bennett told The Gleaner after their first training session after the Christmas break.

Players excused

West Indies players Christopher Gayle and Marlon Samuels, along with leg-spinner Odean Brown, did not train, but manager Milton Brown says all were excused.

"Chris and Marlon asked for a little time to sort out some business," he said, adding that Brown was not feeling well.

Meanwhile, pacer Andrew Richardson, who is nursing a back injury, returned to the training ground but only took part in the physical session.

He was forced to return home from the West Indies 'A' team assignment against Sri Lanka in the Caribbean recently.

Feedback: anthony.foster@ gleanerjm.com

Fixtures for Carib Beer Series 2007

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Following are the fixtures for the 2007 Carib Beer Series regional first-class tournament, starting January 4 (Home teams mentioned first).

Round One - Jan. 4-7

Leeward Islands vs. Jamaica in St. Kitts - L. Kelly & C. Duncan (W. Mitchum)

Windward Islands vs. Guyana in Grenada - G. Johnson & H. Bruce (E. Jones)

Barbados vs. T&T in Barbados - V.l. Bullen & V. Johnson (P. Grazette)

Round Two - Jan. 12-15

Windwards vs. Jamaica in St. Vincent - G. Greaves & D. Somwaru (P. Whyttle)

Barbados vs. Leewards in Barbados - D. Holder & N. Malcolm (T. Franklyn)

T&T vs. Guyana in T&T - T. Birbal & V. Weekes (R. Richards)

Round Three - Jan. 20-23

Jamaica vs. Guyana in Jamaica - S. Bucknor & A. Christopher (M. Noble)

T&T vs. Leewards in T&T - K. Barrasingha & E. Nicholls (G. Alfred)

Windwards vs. Barbados in Dominica - L. Thomas & W. Mitchum (F. Maurice)

Round Four - Jan. 28-31

Jamaica vs. Barbados in Jamaica - C. Fletcher & G. Greaves (M. Chung)

Guyana vs Leewards in Guyana - C. Alfred & Bullen (D. Balgobin)

T&T vs Windwards in T&T - K. Dowlath & C. Duncan (P. Nero)

Round Five - Feb. 5-8

Jamaica vs. T&T in Jamaica - N Malcolm & L. Abraham (L. Thompson)

Leewards vs. Windwards in Antigua - C. Mack & A. Farrell (J Stevens)

Guyana vs. Barbados in Guyana - E. Nicholls & M. Chung (D. Anandjit)

Final - Feb. 22-26 at Guaracara Park