DISCOVERY BAY, Jamaica, CMC - Holders Barbados and Guyana, two teams that enjoy a rich tradition in West Indies cricket, will confront each other in the final of the 2003 Red Stripe Bowl at Kaiser Oval today.
On the evidence of the semifinals, the final should be an exciting treat for cricket lovers. Both teams successfully defended small totals as they almost stumbled at the penultimate hurdle.
On Friday, Ian Bradshaw ripped the heart out of the Trinidad & Tobago batting with a five-wicket haul to earn Barbados a spot in the final when they completed a 61-run triumph in the second semifinal.
The previous day, Guyana’s slow bowlers defied all odds to squeeze past Jamaica by four runs after the host team appeared well placed for victory in the middle of their innings.
For sure, both teams will be looking to win the final under less frenetic circumstances. Barbados, having beaten Guyana on the last three occasions they have met in the regional limited-overs competition -- in the preceding Zone-B preliminary competition and last year’s semifinals -- start as favourites.
This, however, may be enough to encourage the Guyanese to dig deep and play hard and put in their best performance in the competition as they aim to avenge themselves.
The toss could be vital, since both teams will want to take advantage of the conditions. Once the conditions are not overly unfavourable, Barbados may prefer to bat first leaving the Guyanese to battle unpredictability of the pitch later in the day.
Both teams can boast of depth, if not stability in their batting during the competition, although with Guyana possessing West Indies vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan and fellow West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, their captain, they may have a slight edge in this department.
In terms of bowling, the Barbadians, however, have the edge with their attack, as usual, built upon their fast bowlers - Bradshaw, Corey Collymore, Vasbert Drakes and Pedro Collins - while Guyana will put their faith in their slow bowlers, led by Mahendra Nagamootoo and Neil McGarrell.
Although they have been very competitive over the years, regional limited-overs championships have been few and far between for Barbados.
They have won only four -- in 1975, 1976, 1988 and last year.
Guyana is the most successful limited-overs team in regional cricket and will be hoping for a repeat of the 2001 final when they defeated the Barbadians to win the last of their seven titles.
Squads:
BARBADOS -- Courtney Browne (captain), Sherwin Campbell, Dale Richards, Kurt Wilkinson, Dwayne Smith, Ryan Hinds, Ryan Hurley, Floyd Reifer, Ian Bradshaw, Vasbert Drakes, Sulieman Benn, Fidel Edwards, Corey Collymore, Pedro Collins.