Windwards, Guyana in vital clash

ROSEAU: For Windward Islands and Guyana, their third round match in the Carib Beer 2004 Cricket Series at the Botanic Gardens here,  will be extremely vital to their long-term survival in the Championship. Both Windwards, seventh on six points, and Guyana, unusually last on no points, will be looking for improved performances, particularly from their batsmen that let down in the second round matches. Double-crown holders and leaders Barbados crushed Windwards by an innings and 92 runs in three days at Crab Hill, while Jamaica completed a six-wicket victory over Guayna in three days at Kingston.

Windwards manager Lockhart Sebastien disclosed that his side’s strategy was to gain maximum points from their three remaining home matches. “We have four home matches and we’re hoping we could get full points in the other three because you know we got six points against Jamaica, so we’re trying to make home advantage count, then try and pick up as many points as we can when we play away from home,” the former Windwards batsman told CMC Sports. Guyana’s coach Albert Smith believes if his players could “change gear” from the dismal display of batting and fielding, a better result may be forthcoming. “We have to do everything different because we played badly, we need to change gear, our batting failed us, we need to lift our game,” Smith said. “Our bowling is fairly all right but our fielding also let us down with four catches dropped in the last game against Jamaica.” There has been one change to the Windwards’ 13-member squad with uncapped batsman Roland Wilkinson replacing injured all-rounder Craig Emmanuel.

Squads: WINDWARDS —  Rawl Lewis (capt), Devon Smith, Junior Murray, Cameron Cuffy, Deighton Butler, Shane Shillingford, Fernix Thomas, Lindon James, Darren Sammy, Roland Wilkinson, Kenroy Peters, Romel Currency, Orlanzo Jackson.
GUYANA — Neil McGarrell (capt), Sewnarine Chattergoon, Azeemul Haniff, Krishna Arjune, Lennox Cush, Travis Dowlin, Narsingh Deonarine, Andre Percival, Vishal Nagamootoo, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Esuan Crandon, Reon Griffith, Rayon Thomas.