Kingston, Jamaica – The eight teams participating in the WICB Regional limited overs tournament are putting in their final preparations before the start of the event.
The first matches will be played tomorrow in Group A with home side Jamaica facing the Windward Islands at the Trelawny Multi Purpose Stadium and title-holders Trinidad and Tobago meeting Combined Campuses & Colleges at Kensington Park.
Group B will bowl off on Friday.
Barbados square off against the Leeward Islands at Sabina Park; while newcomers Sagicor High Performance Centre takes on Guyana at Kensington Park.
First ball in all matches is 9 am (10 am Eastern Caribbean Time).
Several players have been speaking about their team’s chances ahead of the tournament. Adrian Barath, the young exciting opener from Trinidad and Tobago is all set to play his part for the two-time defending champions.
“I’m really looking forward to the tournament. It has come along at the right time. We have not played as a team for a while now, since the Caribbean T20 in July, so we will be looking to get back into the grove. This is a great opportunity [for me] to spend some time in the middle. I am eager to get back onto the cricket field and represent Trinidad and Tobago,” the 20-year-old said.
“As the defending champions we know we cannot take anything for granted. We did not play as well as we know we could in the Caribbean T20 and we lost. We are aware that the other teams in the Caribbean are good teams with some good players so we need to be at our best in order to win and make it three in a row.”
Jamaica’s reliable left-arm orthodox spinner Nikita Miller believes his team will do very well at home.
“Whenever I step onto the cricket field I’m always looking to give of my best and this occasion things will be the same … I will be giving my all for Jamaica. I have been working hard at my game in the build-up to the tournament so I’m feeling good. As a team we are in the right frame of mind.”
The 28-year-old added: “The last time we won the trophy (WICB Regional 50 Over) was back in 2007 when we played in Barbados. We have not won it since so this will be a good chance to get our hands back on the trophy again. Whenever we play at home the expectations are always great. We know we will have home support, we know the conditions and we will be comfortable … so once we play as a unit, I expect us to do very well.”
Sulieman Benn, the beanpole Barbados left-arm spinner, is confident his team-mates will perform at their peak in the Jamaica conditions.
“We have some experienced players who will be expected to lead the team and some young, emerging players who are eager to do well at the regional level. At the top of the batting we have Ryan Hinds, and Dale Richards, who are two very good players. We also have players such as Jason Haynes, and other batsmen who can all do the job,” the 29-year-old Benn said.
“In the bowling we have good variations. I believe we have the right kind of combination, which is suited to the conditions in Jamaica. We have a good mix of pacers, seamers and spinners.”
Looking ahead, Benn added: ”… on a personal note, the ball is coming out really well at the moment and I’m feeling good about my game. Hopefully this can continue when I get to Jamaica and beyond.”
