West Indies: Confident Jamiaca eye winning start (4 Oct 1997)

October 4, 1997

West Indies: Confident JA eye winning start

Tony Becca, Senior Sport Editor

CRICKET: The contest for the Red Stripe Bowl begins today with Jamaica taking on the Windward Islands at Melbourne Oval and confident of a winning start in their bid for the title and the first hold on the glittering crystal trophy.

The regional limited over tournament is divided into two zones with Jamaica hosting Zone A and Guyana Zone B.

In the other Zone A match, Trinidad and Tobago will be up against Bermuda at Chedwin Park with both matches in the 50-over per side contest scheduled to start at 9.30.

When the four-day Shell Shield became the Red Stripe Cup in 1988, Jamaica took the honours, and listening to captain Courtney Walsh yesterday morning after breakfast at Desnoes and Geddes, he is confident that it will be the same story with the Red Stripe Bowl which is up for grabs for the time.

"I am confident," said Walsh, "in fact, I am so confident that I am eager for the contest to get going. Patrick (Patterson) is back, and I am happy for that. The big man's experience will be an asset to us - and so too his approach to the game. His attitude in training was great - and it has rubbed off on the fellows."

Manager Chester Watson was also bubbling with confidence. "The guys are itching to go, and there is no question that we have a great chance. The attack is superb, and once we can get past 250 regularly we should have no problem."

One of the reasons why Jamaica are a bit concerned about their batting, especially for this opening match against an attack which includes pacers Nixon McLean, Casper Davis, and Ian Allen, spin bowlers Rawl Lewis and Roy Marshall, is because James Adams, their best and most experienced batsman, is nursing a twisted left ankle and is a doubtful starter.

According to coach Rohan Kanhai however, although Adams is the team's most reliable batsman, he should not be missed - not if the remaining five of Robert Samuels, Leon Garrick, Wavell Hinds, Tony Powell, and the experienced Delroy Morgan do justice to their ability.

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