BRIDGETOWN, Barbados

(CMC):

Embattled West Indies fast bowler Daren Powell will play his first WICB Regional four-day match of the season as Jamaica seek to further thwart Barbados' title hopes when they meet at Kensington Oval today.

The Jamaican speedster, whose place in the regional aside remains in jeopardy after claiming just six wickets in the recent five-Test series at an average of 69.33, is one of two West Indies players returning to the side.

Left-hander Brendan Nash has also been called up for the 10th round encounter which will see Jamaica seeking to repeat their fourth round win over the Barbadians, and further extend their lead in the competition.

Twenty-year-old rookie pacer Jason Dawes and the terribly out-of-form Windies batsman Xavier Marshall have been dropped to make way for the duo.

Welcome addition

Barbados will be boosted by the return of West Indies batsman Ryan Hinds, who was their leading batsman before his call-up to regional squad.

He will be a welcome addition to the side which crashed to a shock one-wicket loss to Windward Islands at the Oval last week to fall from second to third in the championship.

Jamaica will be confident of beating their Barbadian rivals again, especially on the basis of the results in the last round.

While Jamaica humbled Trinidad and Tobago by 124 runs at Alpart Sports Club, Barbados went down to the Windwards at Kensington Oval.

Strong batting line-up

With Nash in their ranks, Jamaica will add reliability to a batting order that has been suspect at times this season. The obdurate left-hander, who on Monday scored his maiden Test century in the fifth Test against England, could prove to be a thorn in Barbados' side.

He will join a strong batting line-up that already boasts Donovan Pagon (537 runs), Dave Bernard Jr (488) and Wavell Hinds (437).

Powell, with his somewhat diminished aura, will lead Jamaica's attack supported by fast bowler Andrew Richardson (24 wickets) but it will be the spin trio that are likely to cause problems for Barbados.

Leg-spinner Odean Brown already leads the championship with 37 wickets while left-arm spinner Nikita Miller has already claimed 29 scalps. Rookie Gavin Wallace has also tormented with his leg breaks and has taken 25 wickets.

With these three in the attack, Jamaica will be sure to test Barbados' susceptibility to slow bowling.

While Ryan Hinds' presence will be a definite boost to Barbados, the hosts will be without key fast bowler Tino Best who is nursing an injury he sustained against the Windwards.

He has been replaced by former West Indies Under-19 fast bowler Javon Searles who is yet to play a first class match.

Apart from his heavy scoring, Hinds' value to Barbados has been underscored by his deceptive left-arm spin which has already earned him 22 wickets.

He will need support in this department from rookie pacer Kemar Roach (22 wickets) and veteran seamer Corey Collymore (20).

Batsman Jason Parris, who scored 93 runs from three matches, has been dropped to make way for Hinds.

SQUADS

Barbados - Jason Haynes (captain), Patrick Browne, Nikolai Charles, Corey Collymore, Kirk Edwards, Ryan Hinds, Dale Richards, Kemar Roach, Dwayne Smith, Kevin Stoute, Javon Searles.

JAMAICA - Tamar Lambert (captain), Wavell Hinds, Brenton Parchment, Brendan Nash, Dave Bernard Jr, Danza Hyatt, Andrew Richardson, Odean Brown, Donovan Pagon, Carlton Baugh, Nikita Miller, Daren Powell, Gavin Wallace.