By Anthony Foster, Freelance WriterTHE CAPITAL & CREDIT-sponsored Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) limited-overs final today between Melbourne and Lucas at Sabina Park could boil down to a clash between pairs of siblings.
The Samuels brothers, Marlon and Robert, are expected to lead Melbourne's charge for the title while Lucas's Gayles, Chris and Wayne, are needed by Lucas to perform well if the title is to head to their east Kingston homeground.
Some people, including Melbourne skipper Robert Samuels, said the final was played last Saturday between Melbourne and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) at Up Park Camp but one-day cricket is a fickle game which can be won by one outstanding individual performance on the day.
Apart from the brothers, there are others like Maurice Clarke, Rayon Smith, Chadwick Walton, Delroy Morgan and Andre Coley for Lucas and Donovan Pagon, Carlton Baugh Jr., Ray Stewart and Llewellyn Meggs in the Melbourne line-up, who could have decisive influences on the match.
Melbourne, who have not won the title since their dominance between 1990 and 1996, have a lot to prove.
Beating Super League champions JDF in the semi-finals should motivate the Derrymore Road-based boys in their drive for title No. 8 but they should also beware of a letdown.
Lucas have never held the nation's one-day title but once reached the final, interestingly against Melbourne. Lucas, after their crushing semi-final victory against Kingston, are in prime form.
Chris (152 not out) and Wayne Gayle (72) combined for Lucas last Saturday to steal the match from Kingston with a 184-run opening stand.
Marlon Samuels, who made 72 and bowled a tight 10 overs, was hailed by his skipper in Melbourne's win against JDF.
Once again, Chris and Wayne Gayle will be looked upon to set the platform for Lucas, however, there are also capable players in former Jamaica batsman Morgan, Clarke, Smith and Walton, who just returned from a fairly good Under-19 tournament in Guyana.
In terms of Melbourne, opener Aubrey Wollaston, who did not shine last week, should have something special up his sleeve and, along with Meggs, a good start should be expected.
However, some teams would prefer to see the openers bat for 50 overs rather than have to deal with Pagon at No. 3, Marlon Samuels at four and Baugh at five.
Chris Gayle, who has a lot of experience bowling under pressure, will lead the Lucas attack. Support is expected from pacers Ashuman Kentish, Gary Herbine and Christopher Senior along with spinners Morgan and Omar Burke.
