BRIDGETOWN (CMC):

Barbados, still basking in the glory as new champions of the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Challenge league title, will be seeking the notable double when they take on Windward Islands in the opening round of matches in the limited-over competition today at Queen's Park.

Led by Kyle Corbin, the young Barbadians copped the coveted league championship after holding out for a draw against Jamaica in the fifth and final round of the tournament on Saturday.

It was the first league title for Barbados since 2002 when they captured the championship in Jamaica.

Barbados' last title in the limited-over version of the game was four years ago, also in Jamaica.

Talented opener

They will again rely on Corbin, the exciting Rashidi Boucher and talented opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite to lay the foundation for a huge total or get the required target.

The lanky fast bowler Jason Holder, together with fellow pacers Randall Hoyte and Diego Stuart are expected to peg back the opponents with their probing hostility.

The Windwards should not be taken lightly as they have performed well within them-selves in the three-day version of the series.

Expected to lead from the front is their captain, Kerron Cottoy, who has emerged as the leading bowler in the league with 38 wickets. The wily leg-spinner has mesmerised the opposing batsmen and is expected to do so again in the shorter version of the game.

He will get the necessary support from impressive all-rounder Dalton Polius and medium-pacer Oscar George in an effort to torment the Bajans.

Livingstone Puckerin, manager of the Barbados team, said that his side is oozing with confidence following the team's success in the three-day tournament.

"Everyone is happy," he said. "They are in an upbeat mood after winning the league title. We are going all out to clinch the 50-over series and achieve the double. We have 14 fit players to choose from and a fair idea of what we are going to do, but it is not settled as yet."

Other square-off

In the other match carded, last year's beaten finalists Guyana and the inconsistent Leeward Islands will square off at the MTW Sports Club.

Guyana, who were dethroned as champions in the league championship, will be seeking redemption against Leewards and again will be looking towards their captain, Eugene La Fleur, for inspiration.

With batsmen Seon Hetmyer and Jonathan Foo showing signs of coming into their own, a good showing is expected from them.

Leewards have failed to show their worth at this level and the biggest disappointment to date has been the poor form of Young West Indies opening batsman Kieran Powell, who has been a shadow of himself in the tournament.

Powell will have to turn the form books upside down in a bid to be more competitive against the Guyanese.

All-rounders Chesney Hughes and Kadeem Phillips have caught the eyes of the talent scouts with decent performances and will be hoping to continue in that same vein in order to keep their names on the lips of the experts.

Matches are 50 overs-a-side and start at 9.30 a.m. (East Caribbean time).