ST JOHN'S ANTIGUA, JULY 30 2006 - Guyana will start as favourites against the resilient ‘Spice Isle’ that is Grenada to reach the US$1m final of the Stanford 20/20 Tournament but the tag of ‘favourites’ is no guarantee of victory. And Guyana is very much aware of this after taking out tournament ‘favourites’ Jamaica that most star studded powerhouse team that everyone conceded would have been runaway winners on August 13th.

Guyana previously disposed of Montserrat on their way to the semi-final and have now gained an undeniable momentum heading into the money rounds.

Guyana’s primary strength is their mix of energetic youths combined with their experienced slow bowling attack. Led by the aggressive-minded West Indies batsman, Ramanrsh Sarwan, who is the lynchpin of their run scoring, Guyana has fallen into a pleasing rhythm after their preparations were affected by adverse weather.

While Sarwan’s renowned class is integral to their batting prowess, left handed stroke maker Narsingh Deonarine, new found openers Lennox Cush and Travis Dowlin along with a brace of batting all rounders take the Guyanese batting right down to the very depth. It is a clear advantageous strategy going into these games played at a breakneck pace.

Esuan Crandon, who usually lingers at the number 9 position but who was promoted to number three as pinch hitter and out-muscled the highly touted Jamaican bowling attack for 71 from 39 balls put an exclamation on the Guyanese batting depth. Their bowling strength is based, as it always has been, on spin. In leggie Mahendra Nagamootoo and left armer Neil McGarrell they have the most successful combination of regional bowlers in contemporary cricket.

Getting those two away can be an arduous task for the young Grenadian batsmen and wickets seem to come to them as easily as gentle waves roll onto an Antigua beach on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The Spice Isle batsmen will also have to contend with Deonarine and Cush’s off spin plus that of rookie Deon Ferrier if they are to compile a significant total.

Grenada will be heavily reliant on their skipper, Rawl Lewis. His shrewd leg spin will need to be from nothing less than the top drawer to contain the free scoring Guyanese while his contribution in the middle order will be a crucial necessity.

Wicketkeeper batsman Andre Fletcher is in good knick at the top of the order and getting Grenada out of the blocks with haste will be his primary focus. Following the top order there will need to be a concerted effort by the Grenadians to follow to ensure that they all contribute in some measure in order to put together a respectable total.

Their bowling up front also needs to be level-headed and patient as their new ball attack is relatively young and will be targeted by the crafty Guyanese.

Though Grenada will start as underdogs, it is not because they are lacking fight, grit and a general game cunningness that they have reached this far in the competition.

Guyana will have to be weary of Grenada, a team that has nothing to lose. Grenada would perhaps relish such a position going into what would be the most crucial game in the history of their cricket. Guyana will need to plan well and execute better and take nothing for granted.