Richard Bryan, Freelance Writer
MANDEVILLE, Manchester:
LOCAL cricket history will be created today when Junction and Comma Pen, two community based teams from south St. Elizabeth attire themselves in coloured cricket clothing to contest the final of the Intown Supersales/Uprising cricket competition in Bull Savannah.
Action starts at 10:30 although inclement weather could affect the start of the proceedings.
The 35-over match will also feature Test umpire Steve Bucknor officiating behind the wickets.
Sponsored by Wilco Sports, it will be the first time in any local cricket competition that full coloured cricket gear will be utilised. According to competition organiser Lennox Simpson, this development is just part of a continuing effort to make this community league the most exciting in Jamaica.
"It is the biggest thing around here," Simpson told The Gleaner. "Every week the grounds are packed, you have a lot of parish players playing right now and even national players want to come down and get involved."
The competition has been in existence since 1995. George Powell-led Todd Town have won three times. Comma Pen, who defeated Todd Town in the semi-finals this year, won the inaugural competition in 1995 while Junction, a previous finalist, won for the first time last year.
Both teams should field attractive line-ups despite missing a few stars due to a number of crucial Senior Cup games this weekend.
Although Ricardo Powell is doubtful for Comma Pen, his Jamaican teammate Matthew Sinclair, the Irwin brothers Keneil and Sheldon who scored a century in the semi-finals, along with Troy Powell and Vere schoolboy Shane Powell should prove a competitive line-up.
Junction's line-up is flooded with prominent past and present St. Elizabeth Technical Headley Cup players including Alvin Bent, Brenton Parchment, Kamal Dennis, Rayon Goss, Shawn Findlay in addition to Casius Burton and Wayne Cuff.
