The cricketers arrived in the Land of Reggae late yesterday evening, several hours behind schedule, and without key middle order batsman Lincoln Roberts.
Roberts could not depart with the team after leaving his passport back home in Tobago yesterday. He will still fly out to Jamaica this morning but will miss the game, which is expected to feature several players keen to make an impression on the regional selectors. Roberts's place is likely to go to West Indies youth player Daren Ganga.
The team's delay yesterday resulted when technical problems with the aircraft taking them to their destination forced the pilot to return to Piarco shortly after their scheduled 7.20 a.m. departure time.
Lara, not on the original flight and making plans to fly to Jamaica via Miami, was on hand when the plane returned to Piarco. And according to a Cricket Board official, the national captain switched planes and departed with his team, when the flight subsequently departed around midday.
The early-morning drama was an unnecessary distraction for a team seeking to rebound from their 10-wicket loss inside two days to the Leeward Islands.
Speaking about today's game, chairman of selectors Rangy Nanan explained that there were some concerns about the lack of preparation between this game and the Leewards match which ended on January 24. T&T have played together only once since then against the touring English side at Guaracara Park.
``Since our last game against England, the players were expected to play with their clubs. But this has been mostly one-day cricket,'' Nanan told the Express.
``We did invite 14 players to train during this Test (West Indies versus England) and 13 of them did practice. But there was nothing that we could have done to have a match situation.''
While playing down the lack of match preparation against a strong Jamaican unit which is expected to include West Indies pacers Courtney Walsh, Franklyn Rose and middle-order batsman Jimmy Adams, Nanan still gave T&T a very good chance because of the depth in the team.
``We're naturally concerned about the situation. But I'm sure with the experience of the players on the team, we can come out with at least first innings points.
And the chairman also felt that with the Fourth Test match between the West Indies and England to follow in Guyana, many players have a chance to address the regional selectors.
``(Ian) Bishop I am sure is raring to go having not played in the two Tests. (Mervyn) Dillon was injured as well ... those two are definitely raring to go.''
Opener Anil Balliram and Suruj Ragoonath, Nanan noted, will also be batting with their minds on the current troubles at the top of the West Indies order.
``There could be openings,'' Nanan said.
``They (Balliram & Ragoonath) know that with strong performances they can put some pressure on the selectors.''
In fact with promising Jamaican opener Leon Garrick also on show, the match should make interesting viewing, especially since the Chedwin Park ground is also expected to be a good batting strip.
The conditions could also be ripe for Lara to regain his touch.
``Brian did say that the team that bats better will win the (Test) series,'' Nanan noted.
``And he will want to go on that Chedwin Park strip and get a big hundred to stay in touch for the Test series as well.''
The Jamaicans meanwhile, on 24 points with the Leeward Islands, are joint leaders of the competition and are quietly confident about their chances.
``We have been doing well and we are in a reasonable position but we know we cannot afford to relax against Trinidad and Tobago,'' manager George Sterling explained yesterday.
President's Cup Squads
Jamaica
Courtney Walsh (captain), Robert Samuels, Leon Garrick, Wavell Hinds, Jimmy Adams, Carl Wright, Tony Powell, Laurie Williams, Andre Coley, Brian Murphy, Franklyn Rose, Gareth Breese, Kirk Powell.
Trinidad and Tobago
Brian Lara (captain), Anil Balliram, Suruj Ragoonath, Richard Smith, Phil Simmons, Darren Ganga, Lincoln Roberts, David Williams, Mervyn Dillon, Ian Bishop, Rajendra Dhanraj, Dinanath Ramnarine, Marlon Black.