WI local:Empire, bet in Fire-ing Range

Cup Finals are designed to be the showpiece of any season.

And when the opposing teams just happen to be the defending champions and the newly-crowned league champions, it sets the stage for a grand climax to the season.

ICB Empire and Cable & Wireless BET journey to Kensington Oval today for the Barbados Fire & Commercial Cup final seeking to round off the season with another piece of silverware.

Both have been set back by the absence of at least one incapacitated player, but it should make little difference to what is expected to be a highly competitive and entertaining contest.

Empire, however, are hoping their captain Roland Holder will be able to take his place in the side for the first time since October when he was sidelined by a finger injury.

Holder, named on Friday in Barbados' 13-man squad for their opening Busta Cup match starting January 5, said he would delay his decision until just before this morning's 11 a.m. start.

"At this stage it is still 50-50," he told sunsport on Friday night. "Ultimately, it comes down to how much of a risk I think it will be."

Empire have already had to contend with the absence of pacer Marlon Blagrove, who is out with a back injury, while BET are without key-allrounder Antonio Mayers. He is still suffering from injuries sustained in a bus accident in St. Joseph a week ago.

The injuries aside, both teams can still put out formidable line-ups and picking a winner is no simple task.

It is interesting to note that Empire's only previous title seven years ago came in a season when they also won the Division 1 championship.

Their recent form in the Cup and league competitions makes them favourites, according to Holder.

His opposite number, Brian Johnson, does not think so. "I don't consider us (BET) the underdogs," he said.

"Our chances are very good. We've been playing some good knockout cricket.

"We had a poor start to the first division season, but we are about now reaching our peak."

Holder speaks with optimism against the background of Empire's recent form in the Division 1 competition and their thrilling last-ball Cup semifinal victory over long-time rivals Big B Spartan.

BET, who are appearing in their third final, finished the Division 1 competition in mid-table, but they have always been regarded as one of the most exciting limited-overs teams in the country.

It is in recognition of a line-up that includes Johnson, the aggressive Ron Bates, Barbados cap Floyd Reifer, this season's leading run-scorer Adrian Brathwaite, along with the big-hitting Anthony Morris and Lonelle Hutson.

The bowling, if not as healthy, is in the capable hands of Hutson, Brathwaite, Morris and Barbados fast bowler Corey Collymore.

Empire's batting also has an impressive look. Even without Holder, Ricky Hoyte, stand-in captain Sherlon Greaves, Jeremy Alleyne, the in-form Nicky Bowen, Robin Parris and company overhauled Spartan 228 for two in 38 overs.

Their bowling revolves around the experienced Victor Walcott, Patterson Thompson, Alleyne, Greaves and Parris.

It should be a match to remember.