Paul Palmer Jr - U-19s hunt Windwards' scalps at Broilers Oval

Published: Tuesday | July 21, 2009


Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer


Cricket lovers in the community of Spring Village and its environs could be treated to some exciting cricket over the next three days at title chasers Jamaica take on the Windward Islands in the fourth and penultimate round of the three-day TCL Group WICB U-19 Cup at Jamaica Broilers Group Oval.

In second position on 24 points, six behind leaders Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica will be seeking to record their third-straight outright win, while the Windwards, who are at the bottom of the standings on four points, will be trying to save face and and prepare for the one-day championship, which begins immediately after the three-dayers.

In other matches, Trinidad and Tobago, who defeated Jamaica in their opening match, and have the head-to-head advantage should both teams end with up on the same amount of points at the conclusion of the championship, will go up against fourth-place the Leewards (24) at Chedwin Park.

Defending champions Barbados (19) and second-from-bottom Guyana (16) will play at Jamalco in the round's other fixture.

"If we are to remain in contention, we have to win this game," said a confident-sounding Andre Coley, whose charges are coming off wins against Guyana and the Leewards.

Fighting team

"Based on what I know about the Windwards, they have always been a fighting team. We will be treating the game as any other match, and not looking at who will play," added Coley, who is coaching the team for the third year in a row.

Meanwhile, as it relates to changes, Jamaica could play the same 11 that started in the last match, with St Elizabeth Technical fast-bowler Nicholson Gordon, who has been having average returns, including 1-53 and 0-17 in the last match, being the only potential change.

He could be replaced by Meadowbrook High's Jermaine Cole, who is one of seven returning players from last year's squad, and is the other fast bowler in the 14-man squad.

Regular captain, Holmwood Technical's Andre Creary, who suffered a groin injury with the West Indies team for the Test against Bangladesh, is still injured and is expected to miss his second game since returning home.

Jamaica (from): Batsmen - Brian Clarke (Manchester High), John Campbell (Tacky High), Paul Palmer Jr (capt) (STETHS), Garth Garvey (St Jago), Courtnay Allen (Manchester High), Ramon Senior (Excelsior), Kemar Marshall (Manchester High); Bowlers - Romeo Dunka (Eltham High), Nicholson Gordon (STETHS), Jermaine Cole (Meadowbrook High), Jermaine Blackwood (Holmwood Technical), Patrick Harty Jr (Moneague College), Akeem Dewar (Kingston College); Wicketkeeper - Kirk Harris (Clarendon College).