The Guyana team, fresh off their first outright victory last week in the fourth round takes on top-of-the-table Barbados in the fifth round of the Carib Beer Series at the Georgetown Cricket Club’s Bourda ground today.
Barbados, with three wins and a draw from four matches, (for a total of 42 points) can only be denied the title by an outright win from Guyana, who, though out of contention will be trying to win this match. Guyana captain Ramnaresh Sarwan said yesterday:” There is always a lot to play for when you are representing your country.”
The Guyana/Barbados rivalry began in 1865 even before the start of inter- territorial competition in 1891/92, and some memorable battles have ensued since then.
This year finds Barbados leading the competition and Guyana in fourth position on 20 points struggling for success. Jamaica was Barbados’ last victims losing by an innings and 31 runs inside of three days at home in St Catherine.
Guyana is coming off its best performance winning a tough contest against the Leeward Islands last week at the Albion Community Development Centre ground.
Barbados boasts the best quick bowling attack in the region spearheaded by Pedro Collins and Corey Collymore who ripped through the Jamaican batting order in the second innings grabbing four wickets each.
Collymore, who took six wickets in the first innings ended up with 10 wickets in the match.
Tino Best seems a much improved bowler and, together with Fidel Edwards, if used, will comprise an awesome foursome.
Ryan Hinds will skipper the side and will provide his left-arm spin while the tall, unpredictable left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, is also available to coach Vasbert Drakes.
Floyd Reifer who has nine first class centuries and 30 fifties together with Dale Richards with two regional centuries and nine fifties, Hinds, who has five first-class hundreds and 27 fifties, Wayne Blackman and young Kevin Stoute are the main scoring threats.
Guyana has made one change to the squad with Rayon Griffith coming in for the injured Reon King. Esuan Crandon and Jeremy Gordon are the other quickies. Leg-spinner and leading regional wicket-takerMahendra Nagamootoo has been Guyana’s trump card in the past and will look to be the main wicket-taker once again. He will be ably supported by young Verasammy Permaul who is having a good debut season, but will be tested by the Bajans at Bourda.
The Guyana batting will be the key. Both Sewnarine Chattergoon and Royston Crandon are in good form while Travis Dowlin is also in good nick.
Narsingh Deonarine has been having a fairly decent season with the bat while Assad Fudadin played an intelligent innings in the one day game against Leewards on Friday and seems to be back in form.
Skipper Sarwan, coming back from a toe injury said his mobility has increased but he is still not 100% fit. He is in search of a big score, and the fans at Bourda would love to see him come into his own against Barbados at Bourda.
