Senior Cup cricket: St Catherine, Kingston in top of the table clash

High-flying St Catherine CC and undefeated Kingston CC will square-off in what could turn out to be a top-of-the-table humdinger in the Jamaica Cricket Association Senior Cup at Sabina Park, starting today.

The contest, set to begin at 10 a.m., will see St Catherine, leaders of Zone D, seeking to extend their three-match unbeaten run, while Kingston, with two wins and a draw, will be seeking to leapfrog their opponents.

The Terrence Corke-coached Kingston, who in recent seasons have been genuine title contenders, will be hoping that their batsmen, led by Jamaica Scorpions representatives Fabian Allen, Brandon King and Garth Garvey will show up along with several of their emerging batsmen.

These include Javier Buchanan, who has so far scored a century, Abijah Mansingh, who has a 97 under his belt, and Aaron Johnson.

In the bowling department much will be expected of left-arm spinner Allen, who in their last outing against Trelawny, claimed two five-wicket hauls. Fellow left-arm spinner and national representative, Paul Harrison, could also prove a handful for St Catherine.

‘’We have been playing some good team cricket, with several emerging players doing well so far for us,’’ said St Catherine captain, Garvey.

‘’This is what we want to see, as if we are to really challenge for the title this season it will require a total team effort.’’

St Catherine, in the meantime, will be hoping that the form of batsmen such as national players Oraine Williams and Kennar Lewis, as well as veteran Tamar Lambert, will continue.

Williams is coming off a century in their last match against Police, while Lewis is coming off a fifty.

‘’This should be our toughest match so far this season and we are looking forward to the challenge,’’ said St Catherine coach Milton Thomas.

‘’We have beaten St Ann, St Mary and Police and really look mature as a unit. It is just for our players to continue the form they are in. It should be a good match,’’ he declared.

Other national players who St Catherine will be hoping will come good are batting all-rounder Peat Salmon, and, left-arm spinner Stephan Casey.

Other matches in the zone will see Trelawny hosting St Ann and St Mary travelling to tackle Police.