Ja Franchise face stiff task

With their title-chasing campaign all but over, struggling Jamaica will today take on front-runners Guyana Jaguars in the eighth round of the new-look WICB Professional League four-day tournament.

The Jamaicans, who boast a record of three wins, three loss and a draw, are currently fourth in the six-team standings on 60 points.

This is 47 points off hosts Guyana, who have so far notched up six wins and a loss in the 10-round tournament, including a fifth-round 105-run win Tamar Lambert-led unit at Sabina Park.

Jamaica are expected to make at least one change to their starting line-up, which went down by 179 runs to Trinidad and Tobago Red Force two weeks ago.

Chadwick Walton, the West Indies' reserve wicketkeeper, is set to don the gloves after the dropping of part-time wicketkeeper, the out-of-form Horace Miller, from their 13-man squad.

Another player who could make a return to the line-up is opener Shacaya Thomas.

The hard-hitting batsman was dropped due to poor form after Jamaica's first four matches; however, with batting continuing to be the team's Achilles heel, he could be given another chance to prove his worth.

Thomas, in the four matches he played, made two, one, 59, two, 46, 20 and nine.

Meanwhile, the round will also see second-place and defending champions Barbados on 82 points, play away to cellar dwellers Leewards Hurricanes at Warner Park.

Third place the Windwards Volcanoes on 80 will travel to Trinidad in the round's other fixture.