Jamaica in search of 20/20 title today

Jamaica will begin their search for their first 20/20 title today when the second staging of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Caribbean 20/20 tournament bowls off this afternoon in Antigua.



Jamaica will open against defending champions Guyana. That clash will be played under lights and is the second of two matches at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground. The Group ‘B’ game is scheduled at 7 p.m. Jamaica time.



Jamaica’s failure at the semi-final stage in last year’s competition, along with their early exit from the regional One-day competition on home soil brought upheaval in their side.



Former Trinidad & Tobago captain and West Indies batsman Gus Logie replaced Junior Bennett as national coach, and Wavell Hinds took over from Tamar Lambert as captain.



The Jamaicans are hoping that this combination works, and they can claim their first regional 20/20 title. Jamaica will be without Chris Gayle who is in Australia competing in the Big Bash 20/20 tournament.



The Guyanese are missing one of the key players, who contributed to their success last year as Lennox Cush was overlooked by the national selectors.



Narsingh Deonarine also suffered an injury last week, but durable, fellow West Indies left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul should more than compensate for his absence.



The opening game is from Group ‘A’ and features Windward Islands against Combined campuses and Colleges at 3 p.m. Jamaica time.



The first leg concludes this coming Saturday, and the second leg, which will feature the semi-finals and the Finals will be contested from Tuesday, January 18 to Saturday, January 23 in Barbados.