Joint defending champions, the Leewards arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday.

Discarded West Indies fast bowler Kenneth Benjamin, who will captain the Leewards for the second time, said his team was a very good one and hoped to repeat last year's victory against Jamaica.

``Our bowling attack is quite a balanced one. If the pitch does play fast we have the fast bowlers to do the job but we are not worried whether it is fast or slow,'' Benjamin said.

He also said the team has a lot of younger players along with some experience and it was important for everyone to get among the runs and for the bowlers to do the rest.

Carlisle Powell, manager of the Leewards team, said: ``Last year the Leewards defeated Jamaica in Nevis by nine wickets and we expect another good showing from our players.''

According to Powell, the encounters between Jamaica and the Leewards have always been keenly contested affairs and another exciting match was expected.

``We are slightly weakened through four of our more senior and most experience players being on tour with the West Indies team but we should be able to do well,'' Powell said.

The Leewards are without ace fast bowler Curtly Ambrose, Keith Arthurton, Stuart Williams and Ridley Jacobs.

Powell said the team's trial matches were severely hampered by consistent rain, and although they were behind in preparation, the players were fit and going into the match confidently.