Windwards, CCC will be close clash

CAVE HILL, Barbados (CMC):

Combined Campuses & Colleges will be looking to stop Windward Islands from coming into their backyard and winning in the opening round of the WICB Regional first-class championship, starting today at the Three Ws Oval.

Windwards will be looking for their third straight victory over the CCC at this venue, following a seven-wicket win two years ago, and a nine-wicket triumph last year.

The visitors have been the dominant side in the contests between the two, winning three of the four, since the CCC was inaugurated three years ago.

Omar Phillips has returned to lead the CCC, after he was overlooked for the recent Caribbbean Twenty20 Championship.

Team boosters

The team is boosted by a number of new recruits, including newcomers left-handed all-rounder Raymond Reifer and fast bowler Carlos Brathwaite.

The presence of Jamaican Nkrumah Bonner, as well as the Trinidad and Tobago duo of Kjorn Ottley and Shervon Penco also adds some depth.

With Darren Sammy and Devon Smith both on West Indies duties on the Indian subcontinent, Windwards have turned to off-spin bowling all-rounder Liam Sebastien to lead their side.

Their side is packed with plenty of seasoned players to compensate for the loss of Sammy and Smith, as well as off-spinner Shane Shillingford, whose bowling action is undergoing corrective work.

This also provides a wonderful opportunity for others like Johnson Charles, André Fletcher, Lindon James, and Nelon Pascal to come to the fore for the Windwards.

The weather in Barbados since the start of the year has been unpredictable, but early morning showers usually give way to sunshine.

The Three Ws Oval pitch is typically hard and true, but the ground-staff can surprise the players from time to time with a lively surface.

Squads:

Combined Campuses and Colleges: Omar Phillips (captain), Ryan Austin, Nkrumah Bonner, Carlos Brathwaite, Kyle Corbin, Romel Currency, Kavesh Kantasingh, Kevin McClean, Gilford Moore, Kjorn Ottley, Shervon Penco, Floyd Reifer, Raymon Reifer.

Windward Islands: Liam Sebastien (captain), Johnson Charles, Keron Cottoy, Andre Fletcher, Donwell Hector, Lindon James, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Mervyn Matthew, Gary Mathurin, Kenroy Peters, Nelon Pascal, Tyrone Theophille.