Bajans battle India `A' today

Regional first-class cricket in Barbados today takes on a new look and welcomes new competitors.

The tranquil environs of the Windward Club in Lucas Street, St Philip, will host newcomers India "A" and Barbados in the second round of the Carib Beer Series.

It is a welcome, if somewhat overdue, move that affords fans to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and the freedom to roam around a ground, which has been boosted by the erection of more than half-dozen tents and the placement of six sets of portable seating.

The match brings together two teams whose preparations have been contrasting.

Barbados have been hard at practice all week following their seven-wicket victory with a day to spare against the Windward Islands in St Vincent last weekend.

The belated arrival of the Indians on Thursday has given them just a solitary day to acclimatise to conditions, but they insist they are ready to put on a good showing.

Leaders Barbados were efficient in gaining maximum points in the opening round, but coach Hendy Springer and captain Courtney Browne concede they can do better.

"I mark hard. I always say that although we've won, we've still got to look at things to do so that we can win better next time," Springer said.

"Our fielding needs to be sharper and our bowling needs to be more accurate."

Browne targeted batting as an area which lacked solidity in the first half of the match against the Windwards.

"Our batting fell down a lot in the first innings. It concerned me a bit," he said.

"The pitch was very low and slow. We did not get a net, (but) when you look back at the shots we played, we can't blame anybody.

"We can't blame the pitch or any bowler. We just batted badly in our first innings, all except Ryan Hurley."

On his return to the first-class arena for the first time since the 2000 season, Hurley hit a stroke-filled 116, which was half of Barbados' first innings total, but a few of his teammates gifted their wickets with loose strokes.

India "A", a mixture of youth and experience, have promised to be competitive during their two-month visit to the Caribbean.

It is a region coach Ashok Malhotra, a member of Kapil Dev's Indian team that toured the West Indies 20 years ago, has a lot of respect for.

"Caribbean cricket is a challenge," he said.

"You [West Indies] can have one or two bad years, but I hold West Indies' cricket in very high esteem because I was here in 1983 when you had `the' team."

The 15-man India "A" squad includes six players with international experience.

The best known is Laxman, a polished middle-order batsman who toured the West Indies with the senior India team last year.

"It's a great opportunity for all the team members do do well," Laxman said.

"This is the first time India "A" is playing domestic cricket in another country. Everyone is looking forward to it and it will be a good learning experience for all of them."

Apart from Laxman, the others with international experience are opener Connor Williams, left-handed batsman Hemang Badani, left-arm spinner Murali Kartik, wicket-keeper Ajay Ratra and fast bowler Tinu Youhannan.