Anthony Foster, Freelance WriterDefending champions, Melbourne, and League and Challenge Trophy winners, St. Catherine CC, are a win away from the semi-finals of the all-island Capital & Credit limited-overs (50) cricket competition.
In today's fourth round, Melbourne face Kingston & St. Andrew, and the Saints take on Portland at Chedwin Park, both easy games for the top teams.
The 'Kangaroos' lead Group D with eight points following their convincing victory over Kensington last weekend.
Kensington remained on five, while St. Mary joined them on points after their nail-biting win over Kingston and St. Andrew (zero point).
St. James (two) complete the standings. None of these teams can go past Melbourne if they win today.
Without top players
Like the opening round, Melbourne will be without their top players - Marlon Samuels, Carlton Baugh Jr. and Donovan Pagan who are away with the Jamaica team participating in the Stanford 20/20 tournament in Antigua.
In their absence, Llewellyn Meggs, Andre McCarthy, Yanick Elliott, Ray Stewart and Nikita Miller who picked up 4-27 last week, along with Leon Bent, should combine to ensure that they maintain their momentum.
Sidue Hunter, who took Kingston and St. Andrew within touching distance of St. Mary's total last week, and Elvis Watson who picked up three wickets, are their form players.
Meanwhile, the Saints are on maximum 12 points from three matches in Group C and a victory today will push them to an unassailable 16.
Portland, whose game against St. Thomas was not played last week because of a wet outfield, are second on six points.
Kingston's 'Tigers' who lost to St. Catherine last weekend are on five, followed closely by St. Catherine Parish on four, St. Thomas (two) and Boys' Town (one).
St. Catherine will again be without Tamar Lambert, Jermaine Lawson, Odean Brown, along with Danza Hyatt who replaced clubmate Bevon Brown, in the Jamaica squad.
Bevon Brown, however, should be available for today's game, and along with Keith Hibbert, David Morgan, Oneil Richards, Andre Russell and Dean Morgan, the team still looks strong.
On the other hand, Portland will be banking on Crafton Clarke, Daren Grey and Carl Brissett to upset the Saints.
Today's Matches
Group A
Clarendon vs JDF at Jamalco
St. Ann vs Trelawny
Group B
St. Elizabeth vs Manchester
Lucas vs Hanover
Group C
St. Catherine CA vs St. Thomas at Port Esquivel
Kingston vs Boys' Town at Emmet Park
St. Catherine CC vs Portland at Chedwin Park
Group D
Melbourne vs Kingston and St. Andrew at Melbourne Oval
St. James vs St. Mary at Jarrett Park
