CricInfo Home
News Home

NEWS FOCUS
Rsa in Pak
NZ in India
Zim in Aus

Domestic
Other Series

The last time Barbados beat Guyana in a regional limited-overs match, Courtney Browne was a wiry, almost baby-faced 20-year-old in his very first appearance for his country. It has been that long – January 9, 1991.

Malcolm Marshall was still alive and orchestrating the victory with a cheap five wicket-haul. Captain Peter Short was still the Barbados Cricket Association president. The Red Stripe Bowl had not even been conceived yet. And coloured clothing, white balls and black sightscreens were no where around the Caribbean.

In the intervening years, Marshall died; four BCA presidents have been in office since Captain Short and the Red Stripe Bowl has been contested for six years with all the modern innovations for the fast-food version of the game.

Barbados have failed to win any of the ten regional limited-overs matches against Guyana. Two were washed away by the elements and the other eight were won by Guyana, some by emphatic margins (see accompanying box).

Such history, how bleak it is, does not scare skipper Browne and his men.

"We know the record, but it doesn't bother us. The senior guys will probably think about it more, but we have a lot of junior guys who probably won't," Browne told WEEKENDSPORT on the eve today's semifinal clash against Guyana.

"Obviously, it makes you do a lot of planning and it is something we have been doing over the last few days."

Barbados are not intimidated by their supposedly under-dog status.

On a poll on the West Indies Cricket Board's website, 62 per cent of the respondents indicated that Guyana were certain to retain the Bowl they won last year by overcoming Barbados in the final.

While yesterday's first semifinal was being played at the Kaiser Sports Club on the north coast of Jamaica, an enthusiastic Barbados took part in a final practice session away from the ground.

"We are pretty confident and upbeat," said coach Hendy Springer.

"We've taken into consideration that Guyana have had the better of us in recent times, but we have done some serious planning."

Springer, too, has taken note of Barbados' recent failure to beat the men from `the land of many waters'.

"We respect and appreciate Guyana's record against us, but we will use it as a motivating factor."

To some extent, Springer feels Barbados might go into the match with some edge. It is a comment based on the teams' contrast in batting fortunes.

Barbados have blasted two totals in excess of 300 and two others of more than 280, mainly against sub-standard opposition on tailor-made pitches for batting in Jamaica.

While Guyana played unbeaten in the first phase of the competition, their highest total was 231 in a zone in St Lucia where surfaces suited bowlers.

It is almost unbelievable except that neither Carl Hooper nor Ramnaresh Sarwan didn't get a half-century in any of the preliminary matches. Yet, no side challenged them seriously, expect Trinidad and Tobago, whom they defeated by one wicket in a thrilling contest.

"Guyana have the right attitude. That is why they beat people a lot," Browne said. "But I think we have a good chance of getting to the final."

Springer added: "Guyana are always a good unit and they play with a lot of pride."

Barbados are almost certain to use the same 11 who played the last two preliminary matches. That's in spite the presence of recuperating Dale Richards, whose right knee remains a concern.

A week ago, it was believed that the in-form Richards might have been heading back home, but after receiving a medical report on Monday, it was decided that he might be able to stand the demands of at least another two matches.

Last season Guyana paraded a battery of spinners against Barbados and Browne's men won't be surprised if they come back with an attack that comprises just a solitary fast bowler and the slower stuff of Hooper, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Neil McGarrell and possibly Narsingh Deonarine.

MATCH DETAILS

Barbados v Guyana

Venue: Kaiser Sports Club, Discovery Bay

The teams:

BARBADOS (likely) – Courtney Browne (captain), Philo Wallace, Kurt Wilkinson, Ryan Hinds, Floyd Reifer, Antonio Mayers, Ian Bradshaw, Vasbert Drakes, Sulieman Benn, Pedro Collins, Corey Collymore.

GUYANA (from) – Carl Hooper (captain), Sewnarine Chattergoon, Lennox Cush, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Travis Dowlin, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Neil McGarrell, Vishal Nagamootoo, Reon King, Colin Stuart, Narsingh Deonarine, Andrew Gonsalves, Reon Griffith.

Umpires: Basil Morgan (Montserrat), Norman Malcolm (Jamaica). TV replays: Billy Doctrove (Dominica).

Playing times (East Caribbean): 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; 3:15 p.m. to close (scheduled 6:45 p.m)

© Barbados Nation