Jermaine Lannaman, Star Writer

St Catherine's Bridgeport Sports Complex and Westmoreland's Paradise Oval is expected to be abuzz with excitement today for the playing of the final set of round-two matches in the new-look Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) JAM Twenty20 Championship.

The championship, which will see the preliminary round coming to an end tomorrow, will see invited teams Portmore and Old Harbour squaring off in Group F at 1:30 p.m., at Bridgeport Sports Complex.

Paradise, in the meanwhile, will play host to a double-header, with Trelawny down to face Hanover in the feature game at 1:30 p.m., while at 9:30 a.m. Westmoreland and St James will do battle.

"I am expecting a very close and exciting matchup," said Portmore coach Charles Simpson.

"It's our first year playing at the senior level, and though we don't have any big-name player, I believe we have been playing well together as a team, and have been equipping ourselves well," he added.

Portmore is not a full member of the JCA, but was invited based on a increase in the amount of cricket that is being played in the Sunshine City.

They won their first game against St Catherine Parish last week and currently lie second in the group on four points.

This is four points behind leaders and defending champions St Catherine CC.

Old Harbour, in the meanwhile, lost their first game against St Catherine CC and are third in the group on net run rate.

"We have made a few changes in the squad, and we are looking forward to winning on Saturday and Sunday," said Old Harbour assistant manager Harold Russell.

"Prior to competition the team was not training, but over the past week we have seen an increase in the number, and we are confident we can bounce back," he said.

Old Harbour's charge

Those expected to lead Old Harbour's charge are captain and fast bowler Lascelles Davis, former national Under-19 opener Peat Salmon, and Howard Harris.

Portmore will bank their hopes on captain and batting all-rounder Ralston Nelson, former national Under-15 wicketkeeper Amanja Morris, and Kevin Hinds, who made 44 off 44 balls in their opening match.

Trelawny and Hanover, in the meanwhile, will be going for their second wins of the campaign.

Trelawny, led by a three-wicket haul from Kemar Allen, defeated St James by nine runs in their opening fixture, while Hanover, with up-and-coming young national senior players Kenar Lewis and Jermaine Blackwood in their line-up, got the better of Westmoreland by six wickets.

St James and Westmoreland, on the other hand, will be seeking to give themselves a chance of qualifying for the next round by recording their first win of the campaign.

The six group winners, as well as the two best second- place teams, will make the quarter-finals. The venues that will be utilised for tomorrow's third and final set of premliminary-round matches are Maxfield Park, Manley Horne Park, Palmer Park, Up Park Camp, Paradise Oval and Bridgeport Sports Complex.