KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – The historic Caribbean rivalry between Barbados and Jamaica is set for its latest chapter when the West Indies Championship bowls off on April 12.

The four-day match between hosts Jamaica Scorpions and Barbados Pride is scheduled for Chedwin Park in St Catherine.

In revealing details of this season’s regional first-class tournament, CWI said the six regional franchises were seeded one to six based on their final standings at the end of the 2025 edition.

The winners of each bilateral contest will be ranked first through third based on total points accumulated, with the top-ranked team advancing directly to the final.

During the play-off round, the first-placed team will take on the West Indies Academy to maintain match readiness and ensure fairness of preparation ahead of the final, while the second and third-ranked teams will meet in a play-off match to determine the other finalist.

For the Pride, the memory of 2025 remains raw. An agonising near miss by only 5.4 points separating them from the title despite a thrilling final-day victory over the Leeward Islands at Warner Park has sharpened their hunger.

The Pride enter the 2026 campaign determined to reclaim regional supremacy when the championship concludes on May 20.

Their recent record against Jamaica in first-class cricket is formidable. Over the past decade, Barbados have gone unbeaten against their arch-rivals, securing eight victories, including a commanding nine-wicket triumph at Kensington Oval last season.

Yet Captain Kraigg Brathwaite, who struck 142 in his last regional outing at Sabina Park, refuses to entertain complacency.

“Jamaica is always a competitive team at home. The way they play cricket, you always enjoy playing against them,” Brathwaite said. “However, as I always say, you cannot take any team for granted. They are a very good team, but we must come good as a unit, and the guys are excited to do that against Jamaica.”

The Pride’s trial matches have offered encouragement, with Shian Brathwaite and Kevin Wickham posting centuries and several other batters crossing 50. Brathwaite, who has 228 first-class matches to his name, is urging his side to remain grounded.

“Our coaches have really done the groundwork with the squad to make things a little easier for us in our preparation,” he added. “Our programme and trial matches provided a great opportunity to look at all the players who could have an impact at different stages of the season.”

For Jamaica Scorpions Captain John Campbell, the chance to topple the powerful visitors on home soil is an opportunity to relish. History may be daunting, but hope remains.

“The guys have put in a high volume of work ahead of the season, not just training, but training with intent since the Super50 tournament,” Campbell said. “Everybody is trying to improve their own game, especially the technical aspects, and together, as a group, that will serve us well.”

Campbell, who finished 2025 as the Scorpions’ leading run-scorer with over 500 runs, announced his readiness with a double century in a trial match. He also witnessed other encouraging performances, with centuries from Peat Salmon, Abhijai Mansingh, and Carlos Brown.

“We’ve had a rivalry over the years. We are in a really good place right now as a group, with several practice matches under our belts and players putting up their hands and showing maturity with solid contributions,” Campbell said.

One area of particular concern for Jamaica has been their vulnerability to spin. In previous meetings, the Scorpions lost 23 of their 40 wickets to Barbados’ slow bowlers, a problem Campbell is determined to address.

“Over the years, we have lost plenty of wickets to spinners,” he admitted. “If we can eliminate those types of dismissals to the Barbadian spinners, then we will be in a good space to compete and do well in the bilateral series.”

Squads

Scorpions: John Campbell (captain), Brad Barnes, Carlos Brown, Javelle Glenn, Brandon King, Abhijai Mansingh, Kirk McKenzie, Marquino Mindley, Romaine Morris, Jeavor Royal, Peat Salmon, Ojay Shields, Odean Smith.

Pride: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Joshua Bishop, Jediah Blades, Leniko Boucher, Shian Brathwaite, Jonathan Drakes, Johann Layne, Kyle Mayers, Jair McAllister, Shayne Moseley, Shamar Springer, Jomel Warrican, Kevin Wickham.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Bilateral Round: (Match 1 – April 12-15; Match 2 – April 19-22; Match 3 – April 26-29)

Windward Volcanoes vs Guyana Harpy Eagles in Antigua

Jamaica Scorpions vs Barbados Pride in Jamaica

Leeward Islands Hurricanes vs Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in Antigua

Play-off Round: (May 10-13)

2nd place vs 3rd place in Antigua

1st place vs West Indies Academy in Antigua

Final: (May 17-20)

1st Place vs Play-off Winner in Antigua

John Campbell of Jamaica Scorpions (Photo: Observer file)