PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC- A number of leading cricketers capable of swinging the momentum of a game will be missing when the battle to crown the best One Day side in the region begins here today.
The likes of Chris Gayle, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels and Kieron Pollard have been forced to watch from the sidelines as the curtain rises on two weeks of intense rivalry in the NAGICO Super50 tournament.
One of the pre-tournament favourites, Jamaica begins the challenge against defending champions Windward Islands when the first match bowls of 1.50 PM East Caribbean time at the Queen’s Park oval.
“It’s a big loss given his ability and stature in international and regional cricket,” declared Jamaican spinner Nikita Miller in reference to flamboyant opener Gayle, still recovering after injuring his hamstring on the tour of India last October.
“He would have been a great asset to us as a lot of bowlers around the region fear him, and by just his presence it would give the team a boost”.
Even without Gayle and stroke maker Marlon Samuels, Jamaica are still considered among the top teams in the tournament and one of the favourites to come out of Zone A.
But they will be banking heavily on the strength of their bowling department, a varied attack which includes the highly anticipated return of Jerome Taylor and the consistent left-arm spinner Miller.
The presence of other international talent such as Andre Russell and Sheldon Cottrell will also make Jamaica a bowling force.
“We always play as a team,” declared Lockhart Sebastien, manager of the reigning champions ahead of their opening clash.
His son Liam Sebastien is again leading the sub-regional outfit in the absence of Sammy, the injured allrounder.
“Most people don’t tip us because they always look at us as underdogs but I think we had good all-round performances”.
Key to Windwards chances of a repeat are Andre Fletcher and Devon Smith, who topped the tournament averages last year scoring over 300 runs each.
The team’s preparation for the tournament was helped by its early arrival in Port of Spain for a series of warm-up matches.
“We never count ourselves out. Others perceive us as underdogs but we always feel that we are as good as any other team and we try not to let that deter us,” said Sebastien.
“I think our zone is a tough zone but it is limited overs cricket and anything can happen. All the teams are evenly matched and we expect to have some good competition”.
The Christopher Barnwell-led Guyana outfit is considered one of the best rounded team in the competition.
The Guyanese boast a batting lineup led by vice-captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul and a bowling department that includes spinner Veerasammy Permaul, and pacers Ronsford Beaton and Paul Wintz.
“There are some very good teams so we expect a high level of competition,” said Guyana captain Esaun Crandon in an interview with Kaieteur Sport.
“Our guys have to take one game at a time and play to the best of their ability and as long as they can do that we will be very hard to beat”.
Host Trinidad and Tobago wrapped up an intense practice session on Tuesday and on yesterday were checking into the Hyatt Hotel to complete their preparation.
“We are going to stage a two-day camp at the Hyatt starting from today and the team will use this session to put final measures in place for the game,” said Manager of the national cricket team Manohar Ramsaran
“Skipper Dwayne Bravo is leading in this aspect as he is getting the guys to buy into that winning attitude and this is critical.”
The Trinidadians will be relying on home town support as they open their campaign against Barbados on Sunday at the Queen’s Park Oval.
While Powell will miss the tournament through injury, mystery spinner Sunil Narine is still in South Africa playing their domestic T20 tournament and pacer Ravi Rampaul is still not 100 per cent recovered from his hand injury but is expected to be ready for the opening match.
“The players all want to do well for their country,” said Ramsaran.
“They know that with the home advantage fans would expect us to do very well in this tournament so they are looking to get their focus right and get it early going into game one.”
The NAGICO Super50 tournament will run from today to February 15 and matches at Queen’s Park Oval will be day/night fixtures while matches at Shaw Park, Tobago will be day games.
The champions will take home the Clive Lloyd Trophy – named in honour of the legendary captain of the 1975 and 1979 World Cup winning teams.
