Barbados, Leewards eye ‘semis’

The Leeward Islands, who have not won first innings points yet this season, would need an outright win against the Barbadians to retain any hopes of making it to next month’s final four.

With just 13 points and one match to play, Sylvester Joseph’s side, who did not play last weekend after their match against the Windwards Islands was abandoned without a ball being bowled, know if they slip they could be playing their last match of the shortened season.

Barbados, buoyed by their win against defending champions Jamaica two weeks ago, would be aware that first innings points should be enough to see them into "semis."

They are currently on 24 points tied with Trinidad and Tobago at the top.

Last season the Leewards completed the double over Barbados but when both teams met at the same venue in 2004, the visitors won easily.

The Leewards, due to combination of a lack of preparation and bad weather, have been unable to fire on all cylinders while Barbados are seemingly running into form at the right time. While the Leewards top-order batsmen have recorded half-centuries, none of them have hit a three-figure score and the bowling attack — a mixture of pace and spin — has been able to restrict the opposition to small totals. Joseph, vice-captain Runako Morton, left-handed openers Shane Jeffers and Austin Richards Jr, rookie Steve Liburd and all-rounders Wilden Cornwall and Omari Banks would need to score heavily against the Barbados attack to give their bowlers a total to defend.

The pace trio of Adam Sanford, Carl Simon and Gavin Tonge have had to toil hard on some unresponsive pitches to date and will be hoping the Addelita Cancryn pitch offers more assistance.

Unlike last season, Barbados’ batting has been showing some consistency with Windies players Dwayne Smith getting among the runs and useful contributions coming from openers Dale Richards and Wayne Blackman, captain Ryan Hinds and Alcindo Holder. The return of fiery pacer Fidel Edwards has improved Barbados’ attack although fellow fast bowler Tino Best will be missing after he was dropped by selectors. Left-armer Ian Bradshaw, who has been recalled for the Windies tour of New Zealand, and medium-pacer Ryan Nurse, will offer support to Edwards.

Smith’s medium-pace swing bowling and the spin of Ryan Austin and Hinds will give the bowling some variety.

SQUADS: LEEWARDS - Sylvester Joseph, captain, Shane Jeffers, Austin Richards Jr, Runako Morton, Steve Liburd, Wilden Cornwall, Omari Banks, Alderman Lesmond, Carl Simon, Gavin Tonge, Adam Sanford, Colin Hamer.

BARBADOS - Ryan Hinds (captain), Dale Richards, Wayne Blackman, Dwayne Smith, Floyd Reifer, Alcindo Holder, Patrick Browne, Kurt Wilkinson, Ian Bradshaw, Ryan Austin, Fidel Edwards, Ryan Nurse, Jason Bennett.