Windwards hoping to capitalise on B'dos' poor form

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Manager Lockhart Sebastien says Windward Islands will be hoping to capitalise on Barbados' poor form this season when they go in search of their second win of the regional first-class championship, starting today.

The Windwards are currently fifth in the eight-team championship on 23 points, and with qualification for the semi-finals at the forefront of their minds, are anxious for a solid result in the fifth-round encounter at Kensington Oval.

"We are hoping to pick up some points here because they have lost [on first innings] in all their matches so, obviously, their confidence can't be high so we're looking to capitalise on that," Sebastien told CMC Sports yesterday.

"We're still looking to qualify for the semi-finals, and in order to do that we need points here in Barbados for sure, and in the next two matches."

The Windwards started their campaign shakily, losing by 33 runs to Combined Campuses and Colleges before drawing with title-holders Jamaica.

Low-scoring encounter

They then beat Guyana by four wickets in a low-scoring encounter at Arnos Vale but went down to Trinidad and Tobago in the last series by 51 runs.

Sebastien said his side remained wary of Barbados despite their poor form that has brought them a mere 12 points from four drawn games, and left them one from bottom of the tables.

"They are still a force. Barbados cricket is still always there and they are playing at home," he pointed out.

"They have Test players in their bowling unit - you have [Fidel] Edwards, [Tino] Best, [Pedro] Collins and there is still Ryan Hinds so we cannot underestimate Barbados. In fact, I would think we are the underdogs."

The Windwards have made four changes from their loss to T&T, dropping Johnson Charles, Donwell Hector and Kerron Cottoy, while Nelon Pascal has been ruled out with injury.

They have called up Kevin James, Keswick Williams, Atticus Brown and Dalton Polius, with captain Liam Sebastien returning to the helm after missing the last game through injury.

Barbados, meanwhile, will be hoping to finally get their season up and running after a series of lacklustre performances.

They have recalled fiery fast bowler Tino Best and also included Jonathan Carter for his first match this season. Leg-spinner Ryan Layne, selected for the last game in Guyana, has been dropped along with experienced opener Dale Richards.

"We've recognised that the teams we probably could've taken first innings lead from we didn't. Having said that, we're not going to harp on about that," coach Vasbert Drakes said.

"We have three more important games and our objective is to actually qualify [for the semi-finals]. If you look at the tables, we're down in the bottom. The other two teams we're playing are also there."

Two other matches start today: Guyana versus England Lions at Providence in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago versus Leeward Islands at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago.