The Windwards, who lost to Jamaica by an innings and 13 runs last week in Dominica, face an improving Guyana side and are unlikely to carve out the same result from the opening round when they won emphatically by an innings.

They were led then by a audacious double-century from Devon Smith which catapulted him into the West Indies team, but that first round triumph flattered to deceive as the Windwards have blown hot and cold since then.

They have three wins and three loses from six games and with 36 points in fourth position, they will have plenty to do over the next few matches to make up precious ground.

Captain Rawle Lewis’ 299 runs are the most by a Windwards batsman this season as inconsistent batting has again let his team down. Only Smith, who scored 212 of his 289 runs in one innings against Guyana, has scored a century.

A lot will depend on senior players Andre Fletcher (230), Lewis (299), Darren Sammy (212) and Shane Shillingford (162) to get big scores although Keddy Lesporis, who scored a fifty on debut in the last game, and Johnson Charles are talented openers.

Traditionally the Windwards’ bowling has been their strength and this is again the case, with experienced left-arm pacer Deighton Butler, Nelon Pascal, Mervin Matthew and Sammy providing a competent seam attack.

Off-spinner Shane Shillingford, who has taken 27 wickets, is the team’s leading wicket-taker and along with Lewis and Camilus Alexander should do the bulk of the spin bowling.

Guyana, however, with four defeats, two draws and just 10 points from their six outings, are out of the running for this year’s title.

The focus of the bottom-of-the-table side will now be on individual development as they begin the second phase of the first-class competition at the national stadium at Providence.

Guyana have been an improved side at home over the last two rounds where they have managed to draw with Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, after they suffered losses in their first four matches of the season.

More importantly, however, they will want to avenge their innings and 147-run defeat to the Windwards in Grenada.

One of three teams to be dismissed for less than 100 runs this season, Guyana returned to familiar home conditions and posted their first totals over 300 against Jamaica and scored 402 in the next game against Trinidad and Tobago.

With the talented but inconsistent Derwin Christian and Narsingh Deonarine having centuries to their name, Guyana should relish the placid Providence pitch and fast outfield.

Guyana will be strengthened by the inclusion of Sewnarine Chattergoon and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul who were unavailable due to injury. The pair have replaced Assad Fudadin and Brandon Bess.

Chris Barnwell and Chattergoon will hope to give Guyana a solid foundation for Deonarine (509 runs), Dowlin (333), Royston Crandon (367), Leon Johnson (264) and Christian (273) to build on.

Leg-spinner Davendra Bishoo, Guyana’s leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps and Permaul could do the bulk of the bowling with spin support from Deonarine, Johnson and Royston Crandon.

Teams (from):

Windward Islands – Rawle Lewis (captain), Johnson Charles, Keddy Lesporis, Andre Fletcher, Kevin James, Darren Sammy, Donwell Hector, Shane Shillingford, Deighton Butler, Camilus Alexander, Neon Pascal, Mervin Matthew, Alston Bobb

Guyana – Travis Dowlin (captain), Sewnarine Chattergoon, Chris Barnwell, Leon Johnson, Narsingh Deonarine, Veerasammy Permaul, Steven Jacobs, Derwin Christian, Esaun Crandon, Davendra Bishoo, Trevon Garraway, Gajanand Singh, Steven Jacobs.