Busta Cup race heats up

With the availability of all the West Indies Test players ahead of the fifth round of matches in the 2002 Busta Cup, and with the competition itself heating up for regional supremacy, almost all the teams show changes to their line up.

Front runners Jamaica have omitted middle order batsman Ricardo Powell, for disciplinary reasons, while both Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds have been included for their encounter against the West Indies B in Dominica.

Meanwhile, Trindad & Tobago are expected to welcome opener Daren Ganga along with opening bowler Mervyn Dillon and former captain, Dinanath Ramnarine to strengthen their team for their crucial encounter against Guyana - who themselves will be welcoming returning West Indies players.

Guyana, who will be playing at home have named both Shivnarine Chanderpaul and skipper Carl Hooper - who takes over from Mahendra Nagamootoo - in their squad.

The Windward Islands are also expected to be boosted with the return of West Indies opening bowler Cameron Cuffy. The Leeward Islands on the other hand have made three changes to their squad. West Indies vice captain, Ridley Jacobs replaces Jason Williams, while Runako Morton replaces the out-of-form Dave Joseph, and West Indies Under-19 middle order batsman Tonito Willett, comes into the team for the injured Ricky Christopher.

Lowly placed Barbados are also expected to make way for all rounder Ryan Hinds, and fast bowlers Corey Collymore and Pedro Collins ahead of their encounter with bottom of the table Bangladesh A.

Both the West Indies B and Bangladesh A have not announced any changes to their teams ahead of the fifth round of matches, but with the West Indies Under-19 team now back in the Caribbean, several players are at the disposal of the West Indies B selectors for the remainder of the 2002 Busta Cup campaign.

The competition is truly heating up, and it should be an interesting race to the finish with each team boasting (and hopefully benefitting), from the inclusion of their international players. Four teams - except Bangladesh A and West Indies A - will qualify for the semi finals of the Busta Cup. Meanwhile, both teams - Bangladesh A and West Indies B - will earn shadow points towards the Busta International Shield.