It is likely to be a trial by spin for league-toppers Barbados Pride as they take on hosts Jamaica Scorpions in the third-round Digicel Regional four-day match at Sabina Park even as the venue comes under more scrutiny after plenty rain yesterday.

The game is scheduled to start today at 10:00 am.

The 21-year-old all-rounder Fabian Allen, who bowls slow left-arm orthodox, has been included in the Scorpions’ 13-man squad.

Allen replaces 19-year-old pacer Oshane Thomas, who impressed on first-class debut in the win against Windward Islands Volcanoes last weekend at Sabina.

Pace bowler Marquino Mindley, who missed the previous game at last minute due to a stomach problem, is also left out of the hosts’ squad. That leaves medium pacer Derval Green and fast bowler Reynard Leveridge as the only two frontline pace options.

On the other hand, there is no shortage of slow bowling options.

Captain Nikita Miller, the left-arm finger spinner, and wrist-spinner Damion Jacobs combined to destroy the Volcanoes on Monday’s final day. Batsmen John Campbell and Andre McCarthy also bowl very useful off-spin.

The thinking from the Scorpions could be to boost the batting while banking that the Pride’s batsmen are likely to be less comfortable against spin than they would pace bowling. Additionally, the pitch at the venue has a history of offering turn and bounce to the spinners.

Miller, while insisting that Allen’s main role is as a batsman, said his team is looking forward to the encounter. He said better is expected from the batsmen after underwhelming performances so far this season.

“He is more a batsman that bowls spin. Allen comes in to give cover in the batting department,” he told the

Jamaica Observer yesterday.

“It’s always an eventful one when we play against them. There have been some close ones when we come up against them. We always look forward to it and hopefully the batters put things together and the bowling will take care of itself,” Miller said.

The Pride are coming off a victory against Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in their last outing.

“We just came off a very good victory in Trinidad and everybody is in good spirits,” said the Pride’s manager, Wendell Coppin.

He said his team’s bowling attack, led by West Indies pacer Kemar Roach, is a balanced one.

“Barbados cricket is based on all-round team selection more so than being heavily based on only one sort of bowler. We have adequate number of spinners and pacers to suit the conditions,” the manager added.

The Pride squad also comprises West Indies all-rounder Roston Chase and batsman Anthony Alleyne, who scored a big hundred versus the Red Force.

The outfield at Sabina Park will be tested after substantial rainfall pelted the Corporate Area yesterday. During the encounter versus the Volcanoes most of the opening two days were lost due to a saturated outfield after a few instances of steady drizzle.

“We hope the wet outfield will not affect the game as it did last time around. There are issues with the drainage, but let’s see what happens in this game. I’m hoping we have a full game without interruptions,” Miller said.

Coppin was less optimistic after the virtual all-day rain yesterday.

“We got in some practise yesterday [Wednesday], but neither team was able to practice today [yesterday], so we’re going in the game with similar preparation. And I think play tomorrow will be interrupted at some point,” he told the

Observer.

The Scorpions are fifth in the six-team standing with 21 points, while the Pride have 24.4 points. Leeward Islands Hurricanes are second with 24.2 points, ahead of Guyana Jaguars (24 points) and Trinidad & Tobago (22 points). The Volcanoes are last with 9.6 points.

Squads:

Scorpions — Nikita Miller (capt), John Campbell, Trevon Griffith, Devon Thomas, Jermaine Blackwood, Andre McCarthy, Chadwick Walton, Damion Jacobs, Derval Green, Fabian Allen, Reynard Leveridge, Shacaya Thomas, Brandon King.

Pride — Kevin Stoute (capt), Anthony Alleyne, Omar Phillips, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Mario Rampersaud, Nikolai Charles, Justin Greaves, Kenroy Williams, Jomel Warrican, Aaron Jones, Kevin McLean, Kemar Roach.