Under pressure to win their first regional one-day title in eight years, Jamaica depart the island today for Guyana where they will compete in the KFC Cup championship.

Apart from winning in the last eight years, on most occasions the Jamaicans have been eliminated at the preliminary stage.

On paper, Jamaica have arguably have the strongest team with a host of West Indies players that include Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels.

Now heading for another shot at the regional one-day silverware, coach Junior Bennett says they are fully aware of the eight-year drought.

good performance

"They are looking forward for a good performance this year and hopefully lift the crown," Bennett said yesterday in a telephone interview with The Gleaner.

While pointing out that there is no concern, he added: "The focus is good, it's just for us to go out there now and execute well."

Over the past five years, Jamaica have only scored 300-plus in one game, that against Barbados - the same team they went on to lose against in the 2002 final.

During the trial games only Danza Hyatt scored a century. But according to Bennett, the right time to peak is during the tournament.

"I think they will peak at the right time," he said. "Sometimes it's better you peak during the tournament, so we are just hoping

they can go out there and get the runs because over the years I think out batting has let us down, and sometimes our fielding.

"We have spent a lot of time with our fielding, so we hope we can get that area right this time around.

"Once we go out there and play as a team, and as a unit, I think we will do well."

Concerning the squad, there have been criticisms that only one specialist spinner - Nikita Miller - will be making the trip to Guyana, considered to have the slowest pitches in the region.

However, Bennett countered saying "... we have a few all-rounders and the majority of them bowl spin".

He added: "When you look at the composition of the team, you have to look at both venues, people look at Guyana alone, but you have to look at the semi-final round for Barbados," he explained.

Pitches in Barbados are considered to be the fastest in the Caribbean and the Jamaican squad includes a number of fast bowlers - Jerome Taylor, Daren Powell, Andrew Richardson and left-armer Krishmar Santokie.