Barbados, Leewards in title showdown

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Barbados and the Lee-ward Islands will today go in search of their fifth hold on the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) regional 50-over tournament, when they meet in the final at Sabina Park, beginning at 9 a.m.

A final pairing that many would not have predicted, Barbados, with West Indies representatives, fast bowler Kemar Roach and spinner Sulieman Benn, and captained by Ryan Hinds, will be seeking to cop their first title since 2002.

The Leewards, on the other hand, which will be led by discarded West Indies representatives, spinner Omari Banks and fast bowlers Gavin Tonge and Lionel Baker, will be looking to take home the crown for the first time since 1997.

fitting climax

The matchup will mark the second occasion that both teams are meeting in this competition, with Barbados, led by a man-of-the-match all-round performance from Hinds, coming out on top by four wickets in the group stages.

"We have been playing pretty well since the tournament and it would be a fitting climax if we could top it off with a win," said Hinds, following his team's 58-run semi-final win against Jamaica at Sabina Park on Friday.

In order for Barbados to win, it is widely believed that in addition to their West Indies players and Hinds, batsmen Dale Richards, Jonathan Carter and fast bowler Tino Best will have to come good, as they have done on sporadic occasions throughout the tournament thus far.

The 23-year-old Carter made a topscore of 59 off 57 balls against Jamaica, which laid the foundation for his team's challenging 249, while Best, bowling with his usual aggression, claimed a five-for against Guyana in the group stages.

The Leewards, in addition to Banks, Tonge and Baker, will look to their captain, 37-year-old Wilden Cornwall, who has led from the front throughout the tournament and leg-spinner Anthony Martin, whose energetic and aggressive bowling led him to claim a hat-trick against the Windward Islands, who they defeated by four runs in the semi-finals.

"Nobody expected us to reach this far, but we knew that once we did the basics right and show passion and commitment, we would have a chance," said Cornwall after the Windwards game.

"We just have to now refocus and keep on doing what we have been doing, as we would love to win the tournament for the people of the Leewards."