WEST Indies fastbowler Jerome Taylor is eagerly anticipating the Jamaica Franchise away encounter versus hosts Barbados Pride in the revamped regional four-day tournament.
The game is scheduled to commence tomorrow at the Windward Park in Barbados.
Taylor missed the 13-run victory over Windward Islands Volcanoes last week due to “personal reasons”, but replaces fellow pacer Jason Dawes in the squad for tomorrow’s clash.
And as the Jamaicans prepared to leave the island yesterday, the 30-year-old bowler said he is ready for the battle against familiar foes.
“I’m looking forward to this game, and the games against Barbados are usually good. I will try to see how much I can give a good account of myself so that the youngsters [teammates] can grasp things as well,” Taylor told the Jamaica Observer as the bulk of the squad assembled at Sabina Park yesterday.
A victim of back-related injuries in the past, Taylor returned to four-day cricket last season with telling effect, capturing 25 wickets from eight matches to lead Jamaica’s bowling.
He said he wants to continue that good form before he joins the West Indies squad in their preparation for the upcoming tour to South Africa.
“It’s always a pleasure playing for Jamaica. This is where I started so whenever I have the time and I’m here and called upon it is a joy to me.
“To leave [for South Africa] on a good note would be very good for me. We are coming off a victory [against the Windwards] so the standard is set and I’m looking forward to continuing that. As an addition I think I could help the bowling unit, and also along with the other senior players, I can guide the younger ones,” he said.
The Jamaica Franchise coach Junior Bennett said Taylor has been close to the squad despite not being in the team against Windward Islands Volcanoes.
“He has been training with us since last week and throughout the course of the match [versus the Windwards]. He had warm-ups with the team each morning and he’s doing well,” Bennett said.
Taylor, who made his first class debut in the 2002-03 season, has taken 261 wickets at 25.90 in 81 matches.