Ja tackle Guyana in crucial match (9 Apr 1998)

April 9, 1998

Ja tackle Guyana in crucial match

Tony Becca , Senior Sport Editor

CRICKET: Jamaica's cricketers, led by acting captain James Adams, leave the island this afternoon for Guyana where they will tackle the home team on Saturday in what could be the deciding match in the race for the President's Cup.

After three matches each, Guyana, on 36 points, and Jamaica, on 32, lead the standings and with two matches to go, Saturday's encounter is vital for both teams, but especially so for Jamaica.

In the final round, Guyana will be up against bottom placed Windward Islands and Jamaica against the dangerous Leeward Islands which suggests that even if Jamaica lead Guyana on first innings to level the count at 40-40 going to the tape, the odds would still favour Guyana winning the title.

"There is no question that Guyana are in the better position at the moment," said manager George Sterling yesterday. "What is important however, is that we have a chance and if we beat Guyana we go to Nevis with a glorious chance. It is therefore up to us."

"It's going to be tough," said coach Rohan Kanhai, "but you never know. The important thing is that we at least take some points off Guyana. You never know, the Windward Islands could surprise them."

Unlike Jamaica who will be without captain and ace fast bowler Courtney Walsh who leaves for his English County Gloucestershire on Tuesday to prepare for his testimonial year, Guyana will be at full strength with top batsmen Carl Hooper, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Clayton Lambert and Keith Semple, pacers Reon King and Colin Stuart and spinners Neil McGarrell and Mahendra Nagamootoo all expected to be in the line-up.

"It is a pity that Courtney (Walsh) is not with us," said Kanhai, "but then it is a good opportunity for our young players, especially our young batsmen, to show their class."

The squad: James Adams - captain, Robert Samuels, Leon Garrick, Wavell Hinds, Tony Powell, Carl Wright, Gareth Breese, Andre Coley, Laurie Williams, Franklyn Rose, Kirk Powell, Brian Murphy, Oneil Richards.

Rose dropped from squad

CRICKET: Jamaica and West Indies fast bowler Franklyn Rose was last night dropped from the island's President's Cup squad which leaves for Guyana today.

Rose had not appeared at the squad's training sessions claiming he was suffering from an ankle injury. After failing to attend a fitness test at Sabina Park yesterday morning and then a rescheduled test later in the afternoon, the national selectors elected to drop him from the squad and replace him with West Indies youth team batsman Chris Gayle.

Earlier in the day, chairman of selectors Chester Watson said Rose was selected in the 13-man squad to play against Guyana at the weekend but the West Indies paceman had not turned up for the regular training sessions.

"We selected him on his merit but he has not gotten in contact with me or the coach (Rohan Kanhai) since coming back from Barbados," Watson said.

Kanhai said: "I cannot give any tangible information as to where he is. All I can say is that he has not turned up to any of our training sessions," he said.

The squad departs for Guyana today.

Source :: The Jamaica Gleaner (https://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/)