Jamaica, Windwards hoping to extend form
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Both Jamaica and Windward Islands will attempt to stretch their lead at the top of the standings when the second round of the WICB Regional Four-Day Championship bowls off on Friday.
Jamaica will take on Leeward Islands at Warner Park in a day/night affair while Windward Islands are away to Trinidad and Tobago at Queen’s Park Oval in a 10:00 am start.
Both Jamaica and the Windwards made winning starts to their campaign last week, more crucially, picking up batting and bowling points in the process. They both have 17 points.
Jamaica whipped a weakened Guyana by seven wickets at Sabina Park while the Windwards roughed up defending champions Barbados by nine wickets at Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia.
Jamaica will be boosted by the form of resurgent fast bowler Jerome Taylor whose five-wicket haul in the second innings blew away Guyana and laid the foundation for full points.
However, the Leewards showed plenty spunk in disposing of Combined Campuses and Colleges by 72 runs, and will be confident heading into the clash. Having suffered badly in recent seasons, the Leewards will have plenty reasons to smile especially following Jahmar Hamilton’s splendid hundred.
Warner Park will make history when it hosts a game under lights for the first time.
The Windwards, meanwhile, will be high on confidence as they face the Trinidadians who had a bye in the first round. Their seam attack destroyed Barbados’ batting and they will fancy a crack at the Trinidadians who are missing several of their leading players because of West Indies duty.
Therefore, the Windwards will hope they can finally break the jinx which has seen them winless at the Oval for just over three decades and without victory against T&T in nearly a decade.
The remaining contest will bring together Barbados and Guyana at the Guyana National Stadium in a day/night affair, with both teams gunning for their first victory.
Guyana will be also be aiming to break a jinx of their own, having not beaten Barbados on home turf in three decades.
The Leewards have 15 points, CCC and Barbados four while Guyana are bottom of the standings on three points.
