Bajans vs Goliath

The statistical evidence against them is not encouraging.

Neither is the daunting proposition of a line-up which includes seven internationals headed by someone the back-page headline of Thursday's Stabroek News acclaimed as Sir Carl.

Neither is the expectation of a packed Bourda ground. Conservative counts estimated that 8 000 Guyanese packed the Albion Sports Complex three days ago when their hero was at his best. The number could be even bigger today, based on the fact that the GUY$500 (BDS$5.55) tickets were selling well yesterday.

In short, Barbados have mighty opposition when they oppose hosts Guyana in their Red Stripe Bowl contest here today. If Antigua and Barbuda were like a Common Entrance Examination on Tuesday, rest assured that Guyana will be like a university thesis. Barbados go into the match having not beaten Guyana in a regional limited-overs game since January 9, 1991, when Malcolm Marshall's cheap five-wicket haul set up a 26-run victory at Kensington Oval. In the intervening ten years, Barbados have been winless in eight matches against Guyana, with the men from the land of many waters marching to six successive victories between 1993 and 1997 (see accompanying box).

Manager Tony Howard, however, suggested that it was misleading to say that Barbados had not beaten Guyana at this level for some time.

When last did we play them at this level? he asked. It's a little unfair to say that we have not beaten them for a long time at this level when we haven't played them.

The sides last met in 1998 when rain prevented a result in a semifinal match at the Kaiser Sports Club in Jamaica. I wouldn't say that we haven't beat them, because they haven't beaten us either, Howard added.

No one will dispute that Guyana will be a challenge.

They are a good opposition, but like I say, I always think we are as good as anybody else, Howard said.

Captain Carl Hooper heads a Guyana unit which appears to have no area of vulnerability.

Hooper has always been a class act as a batsman and he provided ample proof against Southern Windwards in Berbice on Wednesday when his unbeaten 95 off 59 balls triggered a carnival-like atmosphere.

Guyana are not about Hooper alone, however. The middle order also includes his fellow West Indies representatives Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan.

At the top of the order are the aggressive Andrew Gonsalves and Shell Cricket Academy of St George's University graduate Sewnarine Chattergoon, who marked his regional limited-overs debut with a halfcentury against the Southern Windwards.

The new ball attack is likely to be in the hands of West Indies caps Reon King and Colin Stuart, although there is a feeling that Kevin Darlington may replace Stuart, who went for 39 from three overs on Wednesday.

Venue: Bourda, Georgetown.

Barbados (likely) Sherwin Campbell (captain), Philo Wallace, Dale Richards, Floyd Reifer, Adrian Griffith, Ryan Hinds, Courtney Browne, Ian Bradshaw, Hendy Bryan, Sulieman Benn, Corey Collymore. Reserves: Kurt Wilkinson, Pedro Collins, Ryan Nurse.

Guyana (from) Carl Hooper (captain), Andrew Gonsalves, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Travis Dowlin, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Neil McGarrell, Vishal Nagamootoo, Colin Stuart, Reon King, Lennox Cush, Narsingh Deonarine, Kevin Darlington.

Umpires: Billy Doctrove (Dominica), Basil Morgan (Montserrat).

Playing times: 9:30 to 1 p.m.; 1:45 p.m. to close (scheduled 5:15 p.m.).