Windwards aim for three-in-a-row

KINGSTOWN: The Windward Islands, still savouring the taste of victory after their comprehensive win over the Leeward Islands in their last match, will take on struggling Barbados in their sixth-round Carib Beer Series regional cricket match at the Arnos Vale Playing Field today. The two teams should have met in one of the opening round matches of the tournament in early January but the fixture was ruined by persistent rain, leading to the match being abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Both teams were awarded four points for the no decision. A month after, the fortunes of the two countries have gone markedly in opposite directions. The Windwards are currently second in the standings with 34 points while Barbados are sitting at the bottom of those standings with the four points earned from the abandoned match. With a near victory over Guyana and back-to-back triumphs over Trinidad and Leewards, the Windwards are on a roll. They are also soaring high especially with the return to form of opener Devon Smith who hit a sparkling century and half century in the last match against the Leewards. The Windwards, who won that match by six wickets, also hit 417 for nine —  their highest score of the season.

The bowling of Rawl Lewis, who picked up six for 86 in the second innings of that match is very much welcomed by the Windwards. These two performances have been looked upon with great joy by Windwards coach, Ian Allen. The Windwards have only beaten Barbados three times in the last 22 years and one of those victories came at the Arnos Vale Playing Field back in 1983. Since that time, the Barbadians have reeled off a series of regional titles while the Windwards have been their perennial inconsistent self, with the semifinals of the competition in 2004 their best showing in years.

Allen feels that based on the current form and difference in confidence of the two teams even with Barbados boosted by the inclusion of their West Indies players, the Windwards may be favoured to register their third win in as many matches this season. Barbados, who arrived here on Thursday morning, have lost four matches in succession and are without most of their top players because of injuries and international duties. The return of captain Courtney Browne and left-arm seamer Pedro Collins from duties with the West Indies team in Australia, is expected to boost the team however.

Also returning to the side is middle-order batsman, Ryan Hinds and seamer, Corey Collymore who was rested for the last round of matches.  These players are expected to lend some experience and stability to the struggling defending double-crown champions. Over the last few weeks the Bajans have endured a four-match losing streak that has included defeats by Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Leeward Islands and Guyana.

TEAMS:
WINDWARD ISLANDS: Rawl Lewis (captain), Devon Smith, Hyron Shallow, Craig Emmanuel, Sergio Fedee, Junior Murray, Liam Sebastien, Darren Sammy, Deighton Butler, Shane Shillingford, Kenroy Peters, Marvin Noel, Jean Paul
Manager: Lockhart Sebastien, Coach: Ian Allen.
BARBADOS: Courtney Browne (captain), Sherwin Campbell, Martin Nurse, Dale Richards, Ryan Hinds, Dwayne Smith, Kurt Wilkinson, Patrick Browne, Ryan Layne, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore, Jason Bennett, Ryan Nurse; Manager: Roland Holder; Coach: Hendy Springer; Physiotherapist: Jacqui King-Mowatt.