KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Jamaica will attempt to complete an unprecedented fifth regional first class title while Barbados will seek to break a protracted drought, when they meet in the final of the Regional Four-Day Championship starting here today. The Jamaicans will start as firm favourites after romping through the competition unbeaten to finish on top of the preliminary standings on 72 points from six outings.
And with the familiarity of Sabina Park as an asset, Jamaica will back themselves to emerge with a win and build on their outstanding success over the last four years in the region.
Jamaica coach Junior Bennett said while the game was the most important of the season, his side would be going out and doing the basics, something they had done all season.
“This is a final and finals have always been high-pressure games but we are just looking to go out there to do what we have been doing over the last few weeks – play good, consistent cricket,” Bennett said.
“I believe once we go out there and remain focused and play good cricket, we will get the desired result.”
Jamaica, who beat Barbados in the preliminary round in a second-round clash here in February, will look to an all-round team effort as they have done all season.
Donovan Pagon has been their leading batsman with 453 runs while captain Tamar Lambert (395) and lower order batsman David Bernard (270) have offered support.
Their attack will be led by spin with left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, who has taken 43 wickets and leg-spinner Odean Brown, with 32 wickets, expected to be a handful.
However, the attack has balance as pacers Bernard and Andrew Richardson have both taken 20 wickets.
Barbados, meanwhile, will start as underdogs, especially after an erratic season where they lost two matches and were also bowled out for 58 in an innings and 166-run loss to Guyana last month.
They will be without key players as fast bowlers Kemar Roach and Fidel Edwards, along with opener Kraigg Brathwaite and captain Kirk Edwards, are all with the West Indies Test squad.
Barbados will therefore look to the seasoned players in batsman Dwayne Smith and fast bowler Tino Best, in order to find their stride.
“We are without some players, but the reserves have fitted in quite nicely and the spirit is quite high within the team,” head coach Henderson Springer said.
“It is a strong unit and our expectations are pretty high. It should be a very good game and it is the final so it is important and obviously from this the champions will be decided.”
He added: “We have Tino Best and we have good back-up players in Javon Searles and Carlos Brathwaite to bowl pace.
“Searles has looked pretty sharp since he came into the team. We have looked good and we have been doing some good work at home.”
In just two matches, Searles has taken 14 wickets while Best has claimed 16 scalps in four.
Much will be required of left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn whose 36 wickets have led the Barbados attack.
Jomathan Carter, meanwhile, has been the main run-scorer with 393 runs and will form the foundation of the batting especially with Edwards and Brathwaite missing.
SQUADS:
JAMAICA – Tamar Lambert (captain), Odean Brown, Danza Hyatt, Donovan Pagon, David Bernard Jr, Nikita Miller, Brenton Parchment, Andrew Richardson, Jermaine Blackwood, Xavier Marshall, Jamie Merchant, Sheldon Cotterell, Horace Miller.
BARBADOS – Shamarh Brooks (captain), Omar Phillips, Rashidi Boucher, Kyle Hope, Dwayne Smith, Jonathan Carter, Shane Dowrich, Carlos Brathwaite, Javon Searles, Sulieman Benn, Tino Best, Jomel Warrican, Justin Greaves.