Jamaica ready to start (7 October 1998)

7 October 1998

Jamaica ready to start

The Jamaica Gleaner

Jamaica open their bid to win the 1998 Red Stripe Bowl cricket title against the United States at Chedwin Park today starting at 9.30 and, barring an upset, they should do so in style.

Up to press time last night, Jamaica had not announced their team, but based on the performance of their batsmen during practice matches, it should be a combination of six batsmen, their number one wicketkeeper and four bowlers.

Based on the selection of the 13-man squad - a squad which includes two aggressive batsmen in newcomers Raymond Ferguson and Howard Harris, Jamaica's policy in their hunt for title number six will be attack and if that is really so, the six batsmen, in batting order, should be Robert Samuels, Ferguson, Wavell Hinds, James Adams, Tony Powell and Harris.

The presence of three spin bowlers in the squad also suggests a policy of attack and again, if that is really so, instead of the usual combination of three pacers and one spinner, Jamaica's attack could well be two and two - two pacers and two spinners.

The two pacers would obviously be Franklyn Rose and Laurie Williams. The two spinners would likely be left-arm orthodox legspinner Ryan Cunningham and offspinner Nehemiah Perry.

Four bowlers in a 50-over-per-side contest in which each bowler is limited to 10 overs are not enough, and because of that, the Jamaica selectors may decide to delay the introduction of either Ferguson or Harris and bring in young Chris Gayle.

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