CRICKET FANS who turn up at Kensington Park on the weekend for the fourth-round WICB Four-Day Championship clash between champions Jamaica and title challengers Barbados should be treated to some fine cricket, says Jamaica's captain, Tamar Lambert.

Lambert, who was part of Jamaica's 13-man contingent which arrived in the island yesterday fresh from its successful opening three-match tour of the eastern Caribbean, said the clash is one of the oldest in the region and, with both teams playing well, it should be a classic.

Challenging game

"It is always a challenge playing against Barbados as I think the last two seasons they got the better of us, although we won the competition," said Lambert, who guided Jamaica to outright victories over the Leeward Islands and the Combined Colleges and Campuses and first innings honours over Trinidad and Tobago. "They will come here confidently as they have been getting big totals on the board but we know what we have to do, go out there and play four days of good, consistent cricket," he said.

The showdown, which will get under way on Friday, will see Jamaica trying to consolidate their early leadership of standings while Barbados, who are second, will be seeking to first hold on the lead.

High expectations

Junior Bennett, coach of Jamaica, also shares Lambert's view that the clash could be a spectacle but in order for Jamaica to win, he says, they will have to be on top of their game.

"Over the years, we have had some very competitive game against them and this one should be no exception. Once we go out there and play to the best of our ability, and play some good, consistent cricket, we will do well," Bennett said.

"To pick up 30 (points) on the road out of a possible 36 is very good, but there are some aspects of cricket that I am not satisfied with at the moment, especially our batting. So I am just hoping that we can become more consistent," he added.

Barbados are expected to arrive in the island today.