Barbadian captain Ryan Hinds is hoping that good weather prevails for the next four days since his team is looking to gain maximum points over the Guyanese in their fourth round clash at the Guyana National Stadium from today.
The two sides, which are separated by two points and are in the bottom tier of the points table, will be seeking to regain lost ground in the WICB First Class tournament.
The team from the land of the flying fish is on nine points and the Guyanese, who suffered two losses and a rained out match, are on seven points and are only ahead of the Leeward Islands, currently on three points.
The left handed Hinds said yesterday after rain had briefly interrupted practice at the stadium that his side had some tough opponents in their last three games and therefore will be looking forward to turning their fortunes around.
“Weather is going to be crucial and we are looking to get maximum points in the game. We came here after having three tough oppositions, three of our toughest games. It is always difficult playing in Guyana but nevertheless we know, like Barbados, Guyana is fielding a very young team and hopefully we can make early inroads and take full advantage of the game,” the former West Indies player indicated.
For this to happen, Hinds believes that his bowlers need to take 20 wickets which has not been done for this tournament. He indicated that the batsmen have been putting on the runs but the normally dominant bowlers have not been able to dismiss teams twice.
“Over the last 10 years our bowlers have been dominating and it is good to see that our batters have been coming to the fore and they have been having a good season so far but we haven’t been bowling out teams as we would like to. But nevertheless with whatever experience we have with Fidel Edwards, Pedro Collins and a draft of good spinners so hopefully we can get the required 20 wickets in this game,” Hinds said.
Edwards has been sidelined with injury for the past nine months and is now returning to competitive cricket. Hinds said that it was good to have Edwards back to add the firepower to the bowling lineup.
He said that Edwards has been putting in a lot of work and therefore he will have a point to prove that he is back to full fitness.
Meanwhile, Hinds also noted that there will be no underestimating the Guyanese, whose performance in the tournament so far has been abysmal.
He believes that despite Guyana’s poor run in the tournament the side will strive to give their all in the match. He pointed out that the Guyanese are more accustomed to the conditions and this can make them more threatening for this game.
Hinds noted that his side will be entering the matchup as a disciplined unit and throughout practice they have been working on tying up all loose ends. The Barbadians have for the last few days been concentrating on their fielding and he was hopeful that there will be a difference.
Commenting on his form Hinds said that he is not viewing things from a personal standpoint but noted that his form has been consistent. With this Hinds posited that if he is contributing to the team that is the focus.
Guyana: Assad Fudadin (captain), Rajendra Chandrika, Leon Johnson, Gajanand Singh, Royston Crandon, Vishal Singh, Christopher Barnwell, Derwin Christian, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Brandon Bess, Steven Jacobs and Ronsford Beaton.
Barbados: Ryan Hinds (captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Pedro Collins, Shane Dowrich, Fidel Edwards, Jason Haynes, Jason Holder, Kyle Hope, Ryan Layne, Dale Richards, and Kevin Stoute
Umpires: Nigel Duguid, Norman Malcolm
