Manager of the Barbados team Tony Howard told Stabroek Sports from the Church View International Hotel in Berbice yesterday that his team is ready for the Guyanese in their own backyard although they have not played a first class game here since 1997.

“We are prepared to play anybody anywhere and I feel that if you are good enough you should be eager to prove your worth both at home and away,” Howard opined.

Howard also reminded that although the Bajans have not played a first-class game here in six years they were here for the 2001 Red Stripe Bowl one-day tournament and are familiar with Guyana conditions.

The Bajans lead the Carib Beer Series standings with 30 points following two outright victories and a first innings lead over Jamaica in a rain-affected third-round game which ended Monday in Barbados.

Trinidad and Tobago on 27 points and Guyana on 24 points are the other top teams on the points table.

Despite their front runner status, Howard feels Barbados, who last won a regional first-class title in 2001, is still not at their best.

“I am pleased with the overall performance but we still need to look at a few aspects of our game that we want to work on. We are in front after three rounds but I think we should peak maybe around the fifth or sixth round,” Howard disclosed.

The Barbados team had lunch in Georgetown yesterday and arrived in Berbice at around 4:30 pm yesterday afternoon following their 67 minute drive from the capitol city.

Howard explained that his team should have a full ‘nets’ session this morning before they face the defending Busta International Shield champions from Friday to Monday.

The Bajan manager said his team is a good all-round side but feels the batting, spearheaded by test players skipper Phillo Wallace, Sherwin Campbell, Floyd Reifer, Ryan Hinds and ‘keeper Courtney Browne, is their strength.

The Bajan squad include female physiotherapist Jacqi King-Mowatt, coach Henderson Springer and five players with test cricket experience.