Crucial clash for Jamaica

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

After losing to the Windward Islands by five wickets under the Duckworth/Lewis scoring method on Thursday Jamaica face a virtual must-win situation, when they meet defending champions Trinidad and Tobago at Sabina Park, in one of two Group A games today, in first-round action of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President's Cup one-day tournament.

Another loss could spell the end of the Jamaicans, as only the top two teams in the four-team group will advance to the semi-finals.

In a clash between two of the most powerful batting teams Jamaica, led by Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Xavier Marshall, Danza Hyatt, Brendan Nash, Carlton Baugh Jr and Tamar Lambert, will be seeking to knock off the Trinidadians who, in their first match, scored an easy eight-wicket win over the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) at Kensington.

Gayle's contribution will be crucial to Jamaica's chances, as he has the ability to score rapidly. After being hurt in the early part of his innings on Thursday, he retired, then returned with a runner to lash 58 off 38 balls, with four sixes and four fours. He smashed 23 runs off the final over he faced.

score rapidly

There are a number of players on the Jamaica team, as well as for the visitors - headed by Pollard - who can also score rapidly. The Trinidadians' Darren Bravo also showed early form, smashing the tournament's first century - 124 not out - in their easy win over CCC.

The day's second game will see the Windward Islands going up against the CCC at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.

"Trinidad will be a tough opponent, but we have been playing good cricket and we have to just go out there and play good, consistent cricket again," said Jamaica's coach, Junior Bennett, after the defeat on Thursday.

"We just have to take a look what the conditions will look like on Saturday, select our best possible team and back ourselves," he added.

Jamaica, in their first outing, after winning the toss and electing to bat despite weather forecast for intermittent showers, looked pedestrian, to say the least, in posting 223 off their allotted 50 overs. Come today, they will be hoping that will change against a formidable Trinidadian bowling line-up, headed by Dwayne Bravo, fast bowler Ravi Rampaul and left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed.

potent batting line-up

The same could also be said of Jamaica's bowlers - especially the pace bowlers - as it relates to coming good because, unlike what they did against the Windwards, conceding 65 runs in 15 overs - including 17 extras - without claiming a wicket, they cannot do so against the Trinidadians who, with the Bravos - Dwayne and Darren Kieron Pollard, Adrian Barrath, captain Daren Ganga and Lendl Simmons, have one of the most potent batting line-ups in the tournament.

Spinners Nikita Miller and Odean Brown, who nearly bowled Jamaica to victory with figures of two for eight off four overs and two for 10 off three overs, respectively, are expected to be steady as usual.

Ganga also shares Bennett's sentiments, saying he expects a competitive game.

"It will be an important match for both teams and I expect the spectators to be behind Jamaica. But we will be aiming to play good, consistent cricket and, hopefully, we will come out on top," said Ganga following their clash with the CCC.

Meanwhile, the Windwards are favourites to beat the CCC and virtually book their spot in the semi-finals. The Windwards will be led by all-rounder Darren Sammy, Devon Smith and Andre Fletcher, while the CCC will look to player-coach Floyd Reifer, who made 99 against Trinidad and Tobago, Romel Currency and wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton.