By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer.JPG)
Garrick
HUNGRY FOR points, Jamaica should fancy their chances against hosts Trinidad and Tobago, who have suffered back-to-back defeats, when their sixth and penultimate Carib Beer Series match begins at the Queen's Park Oval today.
The Jamaican team, led by former West Indies Test batsman Robert Samuels, arrived in Trinidad on Tuesday, without Mario Ventura for the match. He is suffering from a right elbow injury and will be replaced by Maurice Kepple.
The Jamaicans are aware of how important a victory to retain their four-day title or at least qualify for the Carib Beer International Shield.
"We will have to approach this match very positively," coach Robert Haynes said. "The team is aware of our must-win situation and we are also aware of Trinidad's disappointments," said Haynes, speaking of Trinidad's recent two defeats against India A and Barbados.
"If we bowl first, we will have to try and get them out for under 200 runs, and batting we have to get over the 300 mark," the coach said. "What we need to do is create a lot of pressure for Trinidad in this game by scoring heavily."
The absence of leading legspinner Dinanath Ramnarine will be a major loss for Trinidad and Tobago but was wonderful news for the Jamaicans, who have had problems with him over the years.
"He (Ramnarine) is a Test bowler. He will be a big loss to Trinidad and we will now have to capitalise on his absence because he has done well against Jamaica in the past," Haynes said.
"Saying that, Jamaica have not played in Trinidad since 1997 so it is a big challenge for us to come to Queen's Park and try and get 12 points," he said.
Jamaica will once again be looking to Brenton Parchment and Leon Garrick, who put on 135 for the first wicket against Guyana, skipper Samuels, David Bernard, Gareth Breese and Kepple to score the bulk of their runs. However, pacer Marlon Black, Ravi Rampaul, Bravo and others may have other ideas.
Led by skipper Daren Ganga, Trinidad includes Imran Jan, Dwayne Bravo and Lincoln Roberts, all of whom scored centuries this season, along with support from Andy Jackson and Lendl Simmons, who is tipped to take over the wicketkeeping job from out-of-form Navin Chan.
In other games starting today, Guyana host India A, Leeward Islands travel to Barbados and Windward Islands entertain West Indies B.
Jamaica XI: Robert Samuels (Capt.), Nehemiah Perry, Gareth Breese, Ryan Cunningham, David Bernard, Brenton Parchment, Jerome Taylor, Maurice Kepple, Daren Powell, Keith Hibbert and Leon Garrick.
