Fri | Sep 29, 2023

Strong Melbourne team for Senior Cup opener

Published:Saturday | February 18, 2023 | 12:57 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
Members of the Melbourne Cricket Club team celebrate the dismissal of a Jamaica Defence Force batsman during the Jamaica Cricket Association Senior Cup final at Sabina Park on Saturday, April 13, 2019. File
Members of the Melbourne Cricket Club team celebrate the dismissal of a Jamaica Defence Force batsman during the Jamaica Cricket Association Senior Cup final at Sabina Park on Saturday, April 13, 2019. File

It’s been a while since local cricketers took to the field in club cricket, but come today, 11 matches will be contested as the 2023 Jamaica Cricket Association two-day Senior Cup bowls off.

The last time the tournament was contested, Melbourne CC took home the title and the defending champions will open their title defence against the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), the team they beat in the final to walk away with the Cup three years ago.

Once again Javelle Glenn will lead the Melbourne side which is expected to include fellow national players Andre McCarthy and Abhijai Mansingh who recently made his debut for the Jamaica Scorpions in the West Indies Championship.

According to club president, Mark Neita, West Indies fast bowler Oshane Thomas is also fit and ready to represent the Kangaroos.

“Our expectation is to defend the trophy successfully and we have a very good make-up and balance, so we expect an excellent game against a very good JDF team,” said Neita.

Melbourne will also have the services of former Westmoreland player Michael Frew along with United States batsman Steven Taylor.

The JDF will be hoping that national player Tevin Gilzene can return from his debut outing for the Scorpions with some runs. Their bowling which is packed with seamers will feature national pacer Gordon Bryan and spinner Dennis Bulli.

JDF manager Marlon Saunders said the soldiers will be on the hunt for early points in this year’s competition.

“We will have a young team because we have lost some of our senior guys who have transitioned from the force, but the youngsters are quite hungry and are eager to showcase their talent,” Saunders said.

In the other Surrey ‘B’ fixtures, Kingston and St Andrew Cricket Association will face off with Kingston and UWI lock horns with Portland.

In the Surrey ‘A’ group, St Catherine CC will host Kensington CC, Lucas face Mico and Police take on Boys’ Town.

Over in the Middlesex group, St Catherine Cricket Association tackle Manchester, St Ann matches wits with G.C. Foster College and St Mary host Clarendon.

In the Cornwall group, St Elizabeth battle St James with Westmorland playing Hanover.