By Daraine Luton, Staff ReporterAS JAMAICA prepares to do battle with the Windward Islands in their second Carib Beer game at Sabina Park at 10:00 a.m. this morning, coach Robert Haynes says the key to victory is to win more sessions.
"Our plan is to win more sessions than the Windwards and if we do that we will come out on top," Haynes said.
"Our main objective is first of all to get first innings points. After that we have to take it one step at a time," added the former Jamaica and West Indies legspinner.
Stressing the importance of playing consistent cricket over the four days, Haynes said: "We can't say we want to win this match outright without playing some good cricket. We have to go out there from ball one, play some good cricket, look to get first innings and then we can assess the situation from there on".
In the 2002 Busta Cup series, Jamaica gave up first innings points to their hosts in Grenada who, through wicketkeeper/batsman Junior Murray (105) and Devon Smith (84) posted 356 to which Jamaica replied with 178 and 93-5 before play was called off.
Skipper Robert Samuels and his boys will be without the two main wicket-takers in that game, Gareth Breese and Laurie Williams. Breese, who had figures of 3-84 is nursing an injury whilst Williams, who picked up 4-72, died in a car crash last September.
Haynes has a lot of respect for the visitors. "The Windwards beat us on first innings last year in Grenada and although they lost outright to Barbados, the Windwards, whenever they are playing against Jamaica, always seem to come up with a better performance," said Haynes.
At press time, the final Jamaica XI had not been named but Haynes hinted that the same team which took first innings points from the Leeward Islands last weekend would be retained.
"I see no reason why we shouldn't retain the same XI but it is up to the selectors," said Haynes.
However, he disclosed that the team could include two spinners.
"Spinners have enjoyed this wicket. Breese got a lot of wickets on it (the pitch) last year so did Ryan Cunningham and even the year before that (Nehemiah) Perry got a lot of wickets. Sabina Park is just a good cricket wicket and whoever pitches the ball in the right slot will definitely come out on top."
Windward Islands' captain Rawle Lewis said recent history against Jamaica favoured his team.
"I think we have a good chance. Looking back at the past few years, we have played good games against them in Grenada and here in Jamaica so we are pretty confident going into the game against them."
Lewis is backing hard-hitting opener Devon Smith and fast bowler Cameron Cuffy to lead the Windwards' charge.
"He (Smith) is leading from the front, he has matured a lot over the past few seasons and we are hoping for the other guys, we in the middle, to back him up.
"Cuffy is fit and we are looking forward to him giving those opening spells we know he is capable of," added the former West Indies legspinner.
Windwards squad: Rawle Lewis (captain), Devon Smith, John Eugene, Caspet Sylvester, Junior Murray, Kenroy Peters, Orlanzo Jackson, Shane Shillingford, Deighton Butler, Cameron Cuffy, Fernix Thomas and Kevil George.
In other second round games: Leeward Islands will host Guyana at Warner Park in St. Kitts, Barbados entertain India A at Winward Cricket Club and Trinidad and Tobago host the West Indies B at Queen's Park Oval.
