A Few Predictions as Round One Bowls Off

The final 15 for the West Indies tour of Sharjah has been named and the respective territorial boards have decided on their final 13 for the opening round of the 2002 Busta Cup tournament.

This year's tournament is likely to produce quite a few new names that are likely to be elevated to the top of regional cricket in years to come. I offer a preview:

My sixth sense tells me that this year's tournament would be dominated by the batsmen; more specifically the unestablished ones. Players would be anxious to prove their worth; inorder to book places on the senior or A team. The first round of matches is crucial to all teams:

Jamaica vs Windwards

Queens Park Stadium wicket is likely to produce lots of runs. The team wining the toss is likely to take first strike. Romel Currency, Devon Smith and Kester Sylvester would be looking to give the Windwards a solid start.

Jamaica, on the other hand would be looking to Leon Garrick and skipper Robert Samuel for big scores. The bowlers would have a lot of work to do. This game is likely to be decided on first innings. Keep an eye on Audley Sanson.

Guyana vs Barbados
Philo Wallace specifically asked for a quick wicket. Guyana's strength over the years have been in the spin bowling department; and this year would be no different.

Both teams have given a number of talented players a chance to establish themselves at this level. And ,why not? They would be out to transform talent into performance.

Barbados is a tower of strength at home and skipper Wallace would want to lead from the front. So too would be Reifer,Clarke and Bradshaw.

The Guyanese have no single batsman that can be pinpointed to lead this department. This can become a blessing in disguise. Haniff, Dowlin and
Pooran have been showing good form recently.

The Guyanese would have to work overtime to ensure that they earn maximum points in this crucial encounter.

Trinidad vs Leewards


The weather can be the deciding factor in this encounter. Adam Stanford adds to the Leewards fast bowling department. This game is likely to be action pack from the first ball. Look out for 'Action' Jackson and Ricky Christopher.