BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) - Front-running Jamaica can sew up the destination of the Carib Beer Cup this weekend.

The Jamaicans need a win in their top-of-the-table, fifth-round contest against Barbados, starting today at Kensington Oval, to move out of reach of the remaining teams with two rounds of matches left.

In other matches, Guyana face CCC at the Guyana National Stadium, and Trinidad & Tobago tackle Windward Islands at Windsor Park Stadium in Dominica.

The Jamaicans are aware of the challenge over the next four days, and captain Chris Gayle believes batting will be the key.
"It's going to be a pretty good game," Gayle told reporters yesterday. "Barbados are looking to gain on us and we're looking to step up the points standings.

"We're looking forward to it. We've been playing good cricket. Barbados have been playing good cricket as well. It is going to be interesting."

Barbados head coach Vasbert Drakes admits the Jamaicans will be tough opponents.

"The guys are well aware of what is required in this game," he said. "Jamaica are always tough opponents. They have one of the best batting sides in the competition, but they are a 'funny side'.

"Sometimes they do not always click, and since Wavell Hinds and Marlon Samuels are not in the side, it will take a big chunk out of their batting. It will all come down to how we plan and execute our plans against their batting line-up, and stay as disciplined as possible."

Jamaica gained first-innings points in their previous match against Trinidad & Tobago, which ended in a draw, to give them 42 points.

The Jamaicans also completed three straight home matches against Leeward Islands, C****ined Campuses & Colleges, and Guyana.

But Gayle admits getting over Barbados may not be that easy considering their form so far in the competition.

"We're going to play attacking cricket," he said. "We're not going to relax and say it's going be a roll-over against Barbados.

"They are on their home turf. From what I gather, the last time they played here, they scored more than 500 runs. They've been getting good runs. Their batters are in a bit of form.
"We've been bowling well, but it's going to be a challenge. It's going to be 'even-Stevens' going into this game. Hopefully, the approach is going to be just like in Trinidad."

The Barbadians secured wins in their first two matches against the Windwards and Guyana, only to lose their third match against the CCC before rebounding to gain first-innings points in their previous match against the Leewards, which also ended in a high-scoring draw in Montserrat, and this carried them to 30 points.

Both sides have retained the same squads that travelled for their previous matches, which means that Jamaica are without Samuels, and Dwayne Smith continue to lead Barbados in the absence of Corey Collymore.

BARBADOS (from) - Dwayne Smith (captain), Sulieman Benn, Patrick Browne, Jonathan Carter, Pedro Collins, Fidel Edwards, Jason Haynes, Ryan Hinds, Alcindo Holder, Shane Ramsay, Dale Richards, Kemar Roach, Kevin Stoute.

JAMAICA (from) - Chris Gayle (captain), Carlton Baugh Jr, Dave Bernard Jr, Odean Brown, Shawn Findlay, Danza Hyatt, Tamar Lambert, Xavier Marshall, Nikita Miller, Brendon Nash, Brenton Parchment, Darren Powell, Jerome Taylor.
UMPIRES: Dalton Holder, Terence Birbal (Reserve: Tunley Franklyn).