Wicketkeeper/batsman Baugh arrived home from the West Indies tour of South Africa on Wednesday and has made himself available for selection. A century-maker for the West Indies-B against the Barbadians last year, the 21-year-old Baugh could take over ‘keeping duties from Keith Hibbert, who could retain his place as a batsman.

The 19-year-old Taylor, whose African tour with the West Indies was aborted because of injury, has looked sharp in the nets and is poised to return to competitive cricket against the double-crown holders and favourites for this year’s titles.

Powell, who returned from his contract with South African provincial side Gauteng late last year, has recovered sufficiently from a back injury that sidelined him for the first two matches of the Championship.

This match is being considered a real challenge for the Barbadians, who head the Championship with a maximum 24 points from comprehensive victories in their two opening matches -- by 10 wickets over Guyana at Kensington Oval and by an innings and 92 runs over Windward Islands at the North Stars Cultural & Social Club.

Jamaica are third on 15 points, three behind second-placed Trinidad & Tobago, after rebounding from conceding first innings points in their opening match against Windward Islands at the Beausejour Stadium, to trample Guyana by six wickets in their previous match at Sabina Park.

For the Barbadians though, they would have hoped that the venue for the match could have been changed. They have plummeted to huge defeats in two of their last three matches at Sabina Park and would have to go as far back as 1995 to recall the last time they won a match there.

In the last two years however, Courtney Browne’s side has been playing mean, purposeful cricket and this statistic will only serve to galvanise them behind playing with greater vigour and determination.

Bowling is the strength for the Barbadians, but their batting will hold the key to the outcome.

Exciting tearaway fast bowler Tino Best, fresh from his 11-wicket match haul against the Windwards in the previous match, will spearhead the attack with fellow international Pedro Collins, left-arm spin bowler Sulieman Benn, as well as fast bowlers Ryan Nurse and/or newcomer Callitos Lopez his main support.

In the batting, Sherwin Campbell and Martin Nurse are likely to be the opening pair again, meaning there is no room for Mwanghi Broomes. But the Barbadians will have to ask themselves a few questions about their middle-order batting.

Long-standing left-hander Floyd Reifer has been the mainstay and newcomer Shawn Graham showed great maturity against the Windwards. But others like Ryan Hinds, Antonio Mayers and Browne himself will have to produce a bit more if the Jamaicans are to be under siege.

With Taylor, Powell and Andrew Richardson in harness, the Jamaicans have the firepower up front to put some pressure on the Barbados top order batting. Dave Bernard, Jr. will support with his medium-paced bowling, but the two slow bowlers -- off-spinner Gareth Breese, the Jamaica captain, in particular, and orthodox left-armer Ryan Cunningham -- could make a definite impact.

In seven matches against the Barbadians, Breese has taken 34 wickets, including career-best seven wickets for 60 runs, and could be the one to slow the Barbadians down. He will also take note that the Windwards’ well-balanced pace and spin attack accomplished this feat in the previous round.

Jamaica has a very talented line-up with Bernard, Brenton Parchment, and Tamar Lambert, alongside Baugh, Hibbert and Mario Ventura. But they are mostly untested at this level and will have to raise their game if they are to defy the ravenous Barbadians.

Donovon Pagon, another young batsman of some promise, failed a fitness test yesterday and is not expected to take part in the match.

A typically hard, true Sabina Park pitch is expected for the match and the weather is likely to be favourable over the four days.

Squads:

JAMAICA (from): Gareth Breese (captain), Brenton Parchment, Tamar Lambert, Dave Bernard Jr, Mario Ventura, Maurice Kepple, Carlton Baugh Jr, Keith Hibbert, Daren Powell, Lorenzo Ingram, Ryan Cunningham, Evon McInnis, Dwight Mais, Andrew Richardson, Odean Brown, Jerome Taylor.

BARBADOS (from): Courtney Browne (captain), Sherwin Campbell, Martin Nurse, Ryan Hinds, Floyd Reifer, Shawn Graham, Antonio Mayers, Sulieman Benn, Ryan Nurse, Tino Best, Pedro Collins, Mwanghi Broomes, Callitos Lopez.