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February 10, 2012
Star Sport


 

Jamaica don't need Gayle, Samuels to win

Jamaica's captain Tamar Lambert - Ricardo Makyn

Jamaica captain Tamar Lambert remains undaunted by the fact that his team must face an in-form Barbados without two of their most destructive batsmen, Marlon Samuels and Chris Gayle.

In addition to the influential batsmen, the team will also miss bowlers Jerome Taylor and Andre Russell.

Barbados, on the other hand, who are tied with Jamaica for the record of four consecutive titles, will be at full strength with the likes of Fidel Edwards, Kemar Roach, Tino Best and Sulieman Benn set to lead their bowling line-up.

"We have played without Gayle and Samuels for four and two years, respectively, and that did not stop us from winning the tournament," said Lambert shortly after the team's final training session at the venue yesterday.

"It will be a very competitive game as Barbados have a very good team, especially as it relates to the bowling line-up, that should really test us physically and mentally.

"But having said that, we are a quality team, and a confident bunch of players, who can more than get the job done," he added.

Jamaica, in the absence of Gayle and Russell, will seek to bank their batting hopes on the dependable Brendan Nash, Lambert, Danza Hyatt, who missed the team's opening game due to injury, Carlton Baugh Jr and David Bernard Jr.

Their bowling, in the meantime, will centre around the in-form, Andrew Richardson, and spin twins Odean Brown and Nikita Miller.

Barbados, in the meantime, whose back-to-back titles came between 1975 and 1979, will look to new captain Kirk Edwards, teenage sensation Kraigg Brathwaite and Ryans Hinds to guide their batting exploits.

"Jamaica have done exceptionally well over the past four years, but our job is to be worthy opponents," said Barbados coach Henderson Springer.


( L - R ) Marlon Samuels and Chris Gayle

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