High-powered Tigers set to make Super League statement

Guided by Caribbean Premier League Twenty20 standout, batsman Andre McCarthy, as well as rookie representatives, leg-spinner Damion Jacobs and batsman Brandon King, the Eastern Tigers will seek to make a winning start to the new two-day franchise-based JCA Super League when they take on the Western Warriors in the opening round of at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium today.

A combination of players largely stemming from Melbourne and Kingston Cricket Clubs, which participated in the recent traditional two-day Senior Cup, Eastern Tigers, coached by Robert Haynes, will enter the contest as slight favourites.

This is based primarily on the cadre of West Indies 'A' and Jamaica representatives in their line-up.

In addition to McCarthy and Jacobs, current members of the West Indies 'A' team, they also boast national players, captain Nikita Miller, all-rounder Derval Green, wicketkeeper Horace Miller, and fast bowlers Oshane Thomas and Keno Wallace.

"It should be an exciting matchup as we know that the Warriors does have quality players, especially in their bowling,'' said Tigers assistant coach, Andrew Richardson.

"But all in all we have a good all-round team not just fast bowlers, but in every other department and are looking to do well.''

Consisting of West Indies, West Indies 'A' and national players, as well, the Western Warriors, in the meanwhile, will be hoping to pull off an upset.

Coached by Phillip Service and possessing players from Senior Cup champion outfit, the Jamaica Defence Force, Western Warriors will be led in their batting by out-of-favour West Indies batsman, Assad Fudadin, national batsman Jermaine Harrison and Rasheed Outar.

Their bowling, in the meantime, will have sidelined West Indies fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell and West Indies 'A' fast bowler Reynard Leveridge leading their pace attack, and national left-arm spinner Dennis Bulli leading the spin equivalent.'

"It's the first game of the season so we are looking forward to a very positive start,'' said Warriors coach, Phillip Service.

"It is not what is on the paper, it is not about name players, but it is what you do on the day, and we intend to play the best cricket on the day,'' he declared.

In other matches, Southern Seals will play Central Titans at Treasure Beach Sports Complex in St Elizabeth, and Nothern Panthers take on Combined Universities and Colleges at GC Foster College. Matches are slated to begin at 10 a.m. each day.