Tamar Lambert, captain St Catherine Cricket (left) and Samuels (right).

Leaders St Catherine Saints can lift the inaugural Jamaica Super League title by taking a minimum first points against Melbourne Kangaroos in their game that begins today and ends tomorrow, with play set to get under way at 10:00 each morning.

In the most anticipated match of the season, a win for the Saints will take them to an unassailable 28 points, whereas first innings points would see them advancing to 25.

However, an outright win for the Kangaroos would put them in a position of winning the title as they would join the Saints on 22 points.

On paper, both teams are also evenly matched as they boast 16 players who have Test and first-class experience.

Danza Hyatt, captain Tamar Lambert and Keith Hibbert will lead the Saints' batting against Melbourne's Nikita Miller, who ended the regional first-class tournament - the Carib Beer Series - with most wickets, 42. Melbourne also have leg-spinners Damion Jacobs and Yannick Elliott.

In the bowling department, the Saints' attack will be led by spinners Odean Brown, Bevon Brown and Gavin Wallace, along with pacers Andre Russell and Oniel Richards, all of whom have played for Jamaica.

Great expectations

However, they should not be expected to have things their way as Melbourne's batting line-up includes Marlon Samuels and Carlton Baugh Jr, both West Indies players, who should get good support from Elliott, Damion Henry and Jacobs.

St Catherine are confident of victory, according to its captain, Lambert.

"We know once we play to the best of our ability we will come out victorious," he said. "We know the kind of players Melbourne have, we know what they are coming against us to do, that's why I said once we keep our aim and focus we are going to come out victorious."

Donald McNaughton, manager/assistant coach of the Kangaroos, said they are going for maximum points.

"When we play cricket at Melbourne we have a never say die attitude and that's basically how we are going to go in against St Catherine," he said.

"We are aiming for maximum points, but wouldn't want to take less than three to keep ourselves in the hunt," he added.

In another fairly big match-up, defending champions St Elizabeth Sharks host Manchester Lions at ALPART. Both teams are tied on 11 points for third spot.

Westmoreland Wizards will be hoping that something magical will happen in their favour when they visit Kingston Tigers at Sabina Park, while Trelawny Buccaneers await the challenge of the Jamaica Defence Force at the multi-purpose stadium in Trelawny.