CATEGORY:SPORTS(CRICKET) ---------------------------- By Trevor Thwaites Inside Grenada correspondent Thursday January 04,2007 THEY HAVE NOT WON the regional four-day tournament, since the 1980’s when the likes of the deceased Wilfred Slack, Shane Julien, Neil Williams and Winston Davis (who is now confined to a wheel Chair) along with Lockhart Sebastian (the impressive former opening batman who is managing the team this year), brought pride and joy to the sub-region. However, there is great anticipation of a repeat with the commencement of the 2007 Regional Cricket Season. The Windward Islands players are very optimistic that they would not only defeat their opposition this year, but that they will also go on to reclaim the title they held more than two decades ago. “We have been consistently reaching the semi-finals of regional competitions. With a little more commitment, I think we can go all the way”, coach Ian Allen told reporters. The 14-man squad and some of the reserves have completed a six-day training camp in St George’s in preparation for their upcoming engagements. They first meet in the Four-Day Carib Beer Series from January 4th to 7th and later in the Kentucky One-day Competition on January 9th. The training involved physical work outs, net sessions and two practice matches. However, the build-up has not gone as the players and officials expected, with the recent Windward Islands Tournament staged here to select the team, abandoned because of inclement whether. Nonetheless, skipper Rawle Lewis says that the team is prepared to overcome the challenges and be very competitive. “We have been doing well getting into the semi-finals of tournaments. The players are talented and with a little more application, we can excel”, skipper Rawle Lewis said. He indicated that they used the six-day camp to get as fit and match ready as possible for the season. The Windward Islands has been a good bowling unit over the years, consistently restricting teams to manageable totals around the 250 mark. But inept batting performances have led to their down fall time and again. One of the newcomers, Vincentian middle-order batsman Miles Bascombe, is keen to provide some stability in that area. “I am hoping to help stabilize the middle. I am an aggressive player, but will be doing by outmost to stay long at the crease. I can only do that by playing the balls on merit- defending the good ones and punishing the bad deliveries. “If we perform consistently well at the middle, we can surely excel this season”, the 22-year old said. The Windward Islands will be banking their hopes on good batting displays from West Indies players- opener Devon Smith; Wicket-keeper/batsman Junior Murray, who has scored consistently well over the years; skipper Rawle Lewis, who is certainly one of the leading all-rounders in the region; all-rounder Darren Sammy, who many believe should feature more in the West Indies make-up and fast-bowler Deigton Butler, who is keen to return to international cricket. Dashing middle-order batsman Hyron Charlo and fast bowler John Paul are also expected to do well. Much is also expected from young opener Heron Campbell, who is making his debut, West Indies Youth Player Andre Fletcher and all-rounder Ronald Ettienne. Smith, Murray, Campbell, Charlo, Pascal, Fletcher and Bascombe are expected to spearhead the batting department, while the bowling will be led by fast bowlers- Butler, Paul, Kenroy Peters and spinners Lewis, Denis George, Liam Sebastian and Ronald Ettienne.