Tony Becca, Contributing Editor

THE HUNT for the regional Carib Beer Cup continues today with Jamaica, boasting two victories from two matches, going for win number three when they take on lowly Guyana at Sabina Park today.

Blessed with four home matches out of a total of six, this is the third one, and, despite a scare when they lost four quick wickets at the start of their second innings in the first, after knocking off the Leeward Islands and then Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC), one by five wickets and one by 10 wickets, Jamaica are bubbling, and justifiably so.

On the other hand, as hopeful as they seem to be, Guyana must be worried - and understandably so.

With maximum 24 points, Jamaica, along with Barbados, are at the top of the standings, and in contrast, Guyana, after losing both their matches to date, one to Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) by nine wickets and one to Barbados by an innings and 57 runs, are at the bottom on zero points and playing their third match away from home.

As confident as they are, or as they appear to be, however, cricket is a funny old game. It is full of surprises, and Jamaica, who are expected to make two changes, would be well advised to remember that.

Changes

The first of the two changes will be Shaun Findlay or Donovan Pagon for Keith Hibbert. An Pagon has not opened the innings anywhere and for any team for a long time an the left-handed Findlay is a regular opening batsman who did well during the domestic season, it would not be surprising if once again he is forced to sit and watch while another make-shift opening batsman walks out with Xavier Marshall.

With Andrew Richardson consi-dered fit and in the squad, the second of the changes should be Richardson for Jermaine Lawson.

Although the Test pacer has bowled 26 overs and has conceded 121 runs while taking one wicket at an average of 121.00; even though he bowled seven, six, five and eight no-balls for a total of 26 in two matches André Russell was impressive in the practice matches; even though his figures of one for 70 off 27 overs are more respectable than Lawson's, it is almost a safe bet that the new ball, and if necessary, the second new ball, will be shared by Lawson and Richardson, with a young and fit Russell looking on.

Meanwhile, the batting, on both sides, including 20-year-old left-hander Gajanand Singh and 24-year-old Royston Crandon, appears not much to write home about and with the match being played, not on the much-used second pitch from the west - from the clubhouse side of the ground, but on the not-much-used middle pitch, on number three in five, it could be rough.

Third round

Jamaica vs Guyana at Sabina Park, Jamaica

Combined Campuses and Colleges vs Barbados at 3Ws Oval, Barbados

Leeward Island vs Trinidad and Tobago at Carib Lumber Park, St. Maarten