Brimming with self-confidence, the words from the experienced pair of Tino Best and Dwayne Smith apparently epitomised the intense focus of the Barbados team as they challenge reigning champions Jamaica in the final of the regional four-day competition.

The mouth-watering clash begins 10:00 am today at Sabina Park, and though Jamaica start as favourites, both players — quite explosive in their own right — are not about to take the slightest step back.

Best, the bustling fast bowler, calm and articulate when addressing the media, but full of aggression and competitive edge on the field, said he is looking forward to the massive match-up.

“I always like to be playing against Jamaica and I am always trying to do well for Barbados. We are looking to win, but we know it is going to be tough; it will be no easy walk in the park,” he said upon the team’s arrival on Wednesday.

Best, who last played a Test three years ago against Bangladesh in 2009, has taken 28 wickets in 14 matches at an expensive average of 48.67.

He, however, has a first-class record of 268 victims at 27.62 in 89 matches.

Conceding that he is a bit match rusty after missing a few rounds during the preliminary phase due to his stint in the West Indies limited overs squad, Best is adamant that the occasion will push him to be at his best.

“I haven’t bowled (in a match) for the last month or so because I was on the bench for the West Indies team. I’ve had like one game in the last four to five weeks. That doesn’t matter now because at the end of the day it’s a final and we have to be firing on all cylinders,” said the 30-year-old speedster.

Smith, who turned 29 yesterday, is another talented player aching to find his way back onto the Test arena, but for now he is channelling all his energy towards halting the Jamaican juggernaut.

“I’m not too worried about the (West Indies) selectors right now. I am more concerned about helping Barbados to win this competition. We are all up for it. I came here to make runs and to get wickets so the aim is to put performances together and help Barbados,” he said.

The swashbuckling all-rounder burst onto the Test scene with an unbeaten century on debut against South Africa in 2004, but fell out of favour with the selectors two years later and has struggled to prove himself a viable option in the longer format of the game.

Smith averages 24.61 with the bat and 49.14 with the ball in 10 Test matches.

He has struck seven hundreds in 82 first-class matches at 29.73. With the ball he has grabbed 127 wickets at 32.29.

— Sanjay Myers