KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Both Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago will look to rebound from setbacks in their respective previous matches, and fortify their places in their top-of-the-table, sixth round clash in the WICB Regional first-class championship today at Sabina Park. Jamaica remained at the top of the chart with 39 points, although they conceded first innings points in their drawn fifth round contest against the Combined Campuses & Colleges, which was badly affected by rain at Chedwin Park.
Trinidad & Tobago remained just two points adrift of their hosts on 37 points, after the Leeward Islands stunned them by 29 runs at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, where events off the field took centre stage.
For the Jamaicans, there is great cause for optimism that they can overpower T&T over the next four days, and remain out of the reach of the chasing pack.
Over the last decade, Jamaica have dominated the visitors in the regional first-class championship, winning nine of the last 14 matches, including one in each of the last three years.
In addition, there have only been two draws in that same period, and the Jamaicans have gained first innings points in each.
“It’s going to be an important game for us,” Jamaica captain Tamar Lambert told CMC Sports Wire. “It’s a top-of-the-table clash and obviously we want to get maximum 12 points from it.
“Our batting has been doing very well, but we need to improve on our catching. We have been doing the work and we hope that it will pay off.”
T&T coach Kelvin Williams is well aware of the records, and expects his side to bounce back from their stumble last weekend, and buck the trend against the home team.
“In recent times, they have been getting the better of us, so we want to prevent that from happening again,” he told the Jamaica Observer newspaper.
“Coming to Jamaica and playing at Sabina Park, it’s going to be difficult, but we have the players who can contribute to our doing well.”
“I think we have been playing decent cricket all season, though we have just been upset by the Leewards,” he said. “It was disappointing, but we have got to put that behind us.
“We’re trying to get back on track, and it’s important to do well and be one of the top teams heading into the semi-finals, so certainly we need to play our best cricket.”
Jamaica’s hopes of undermining T&T have been enhanced with the return of West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor.
He missed the CCC match, following compassionate leave to mourn the passing of his grandmother, and replaces fellow fast bowler Jason Dawes.
“He will be the only change, and I’m sure that he will definitely turn up and give a good account of himself,” said Lambert.
“He is always one to give 100 per cent and you can always count on him to inspire the team.”
The arrest of Runako Morton on charges of marijuana possession, and the failure of a couple players have forced the T&T selectors to make changes.
Former national youth captain Tishan Maraj makes his return to the national team after four years spent studying to become a medical doctor, Jason Mohammed has been recalled after he was dropped following the opening match against Barbados, and national youth opener Nicholas Alexis has been elevated.
Team manager Omar Khan acknowledged the arrest of Morton rocked the side in the previous match, but he insisted they have put the ordeal behind them.
“Definitely, it did affect us psychologically because it came as a culture shock to us,” he said. “We have moulded the side into a well-knit, well-disciplined unit, and normally adhere to rules and guidelines.
“Over the years we’ve built a certain understanding of structures and we’re very strict with the discipline and we expect any player who joins the team to fall in line as well. But we now need to move on and put that behind us and play positively.”
T&T last beat their hosts four years ago at Alpart Sports Club in the western Jamaica community of Nain by six wickets.