With the new format of regional cricket, defending champions Guyana will begin their quest for a 10th regional one-day title against the 2005 semi-finalists, Wind-ward Islands, in Grenada today.
Coming off a fight for first innings that ended in a no-result in the rain-affected Carib Beer game against Windward Islands on Sunday, the two teams clash today in the shorter version of the game at the Tanteen Recreation Centre.
The competition was not played in 2006 but the last regional limited over match the Windward Islands played, was the chaotic semi-final against Barbados. A surprising decision to accept the offer of bad light by the experienced Junior Murray and Darren Sammy with the sore on 100 for three from 25 overs probably cost the Windwards the opportunity to play eventual champions Guyana in the final.
The Windward Islands are not expected to make many changes from their four-day team for this encounter, but all-rounder Ronald Etienne could be brought in. Guyana, however, would probably like to include Dion Ferrier, Royston Crandon and another player in order to strengthen the batting at the expense of Imran Jafferally, who is not usually utilized in the shorter version of the game.
The Windward Islands have been under achieving in this format, losing two very close matches to Barbados in the previous competition – first by one run at the and then in the previously mentioned semi-final at Bourda.
Guyana will still be a formidable force despite the absence of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, and the man-of-the-match of the last final Sewnarine Chattergoon.
Weather permitting, today’s clash should be an exciting confrontation by two closely matched teams.
