Chris Gayle ... we are going to play attacking cricket. - File
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC):
FRONT-RUNNING Jamaica can sew up the destination of the Carib Beer Cup this weekend.
The Jamaicans need a win in their top-of-the-table, fifth-round contest against Barbados, starting on Friday at Kensington Oval, to move out of reach of the remaining teams with two rounds of matches left.
The visitors are well aware of the challenge over the next four days, and their captain Chris Gayle believes batting will be the key.
Good cricket
"It's going to be a pretty good game," Gayle told reporters yesterday. "Barbados are looking to gain on us and we are looking to step up the points standings.
"We're looking forward to it. We've been playing good cricket. Barbados have been playing good cricket as well. It is going to be interesting."
Barbados head coach Vasbert Drakes admits that the Jamaicans will be tough opponents.
"The guys are well aware of what is required in this game," he said. "Jamaica are always tough opponents. They have one of the best batting sides in the competition, but they are a funny side.
"Sometimes they do not always click, and since Wavell Hinds and Marlon Samuels are not in the side, it will take a big chunk out of their batting. It will all come down to how we plan and execute our plans against their batting line-up, and stay as disciplined as possible."
Jamaica gained first innings points in their previous match against Trinidad and Tobago, which ended in a draw to give them 42 points. The Jamaicans also completed three straight home victories against Leeward Islands, Combined Campuses and Colleges and Guyana.
But Gayle admits getting over Barbados may not be that easy, considering their form so far in the competition.
Teams: BARBADOS (from): Dwayne Smith (captain), Sulieman Benn, Patrick Browne, Jonathan Carter, Pedro Collins, Fidel Edwards, Jason Haynes, Ryan Hinds, Alcindo Holder, Shane Ramsay, Dale Richards, Kemar Roach, Kevin Stoute.
JAMAICA (from): Chris Gayle (captain), Carlton Baugh Jr, Dave Bernard Jr, Odean Brown, Shawn Findlay, Danza Hyatt, Tamar Lambert, Xavier Marshall, Nikita Miller, Brendon Nash, Brenton Parchment, Daren Powell, Jerome Taylor.
"We're going to play attacking cricket," he said. "We're not going to relax and say that it is going to be a roll-over against Barbados.
"They are on their home turf. From what I gather, the last time they played here, they scored more than 500 runs. They have been getting good runs. Their batters are in a bit of form.
"We've been bowling well, but it's going to a challenge. It's going to be Ôeven-Stevens' going into this game. Hopefully, the approach is going to be just like in Trinidad."
The Barbadians secured wins in their first two matches against the Windwards and Guyana, only to lose their third match against the CCC before rebounding to gain first innings points in their previous match against the Leewards which also ended in a high-scoring draw in Montserrat, and this carried them to 30 points.
Although the Barbadians scored heavily against the Leewards with several of their top-order batsmen getting runs, Drakes is not reading too much into that performance.
ÒIt was such a small outfield (Salem Park), but the one consolation is that the batsmen should enter this match with a lot more confidence,Ó he said.
ÒI guess they now have some runs under their belt, despite the size of the ground, the nature of the pitch, and the size of the total they were chasing.
ÒAt this level, it is important to have your confidence high, and it speaks volumes to have the guys score over 400 runs on the last day in 63 overs to get first innings points.Ó
Both sides have retained the same squads that traveled for their previous matches which means that Jamaica are without Marlon Samuels, and Dwayne Smith continue to lead Barbados in the absence of Corey Collymore.
ROUND FIVE GAMES
Barbados vs Jamaica
at Kensington Oval
Guyana vs Combined Campuses and Colleges at Providence
Windward Islands vs Trinidad and Tobago
at Windsor Park, Dominica
