In the Trinidad and Tobago squad list for the Red Stripe Bowl, innocuously slotted between D Ramnarine and LA Roberts, is a combination of six letters that, oddly enough, spells a five-letter word.

The six letters are BC Lara, and the five-letter word is "magic."

Lara's return from a prolonged hamstring injury, coupled with the return of cricket in the West Indies after a four-month hiatus, bodes well for the 2001 edition of the Red Stripe Bowl. The absence of a hectic international schedule, moreover, ensures that a number of international players will turn out for their respective sides in what is definitely the Caribbean's singularly important domestic tournament.

Apart from Lara, speedster Mervyn Dillon and Daren Ganga figure in the Trinidad and Tobago squad. While Ganga tries to get selectors to look past what has been a tepid international career, Dillon will be hoping to project himself as a bowler capable of becoming the spearhead of the West Indian pace battery.

Jamaica's squad list reads, for the initial part at least, virtually like the squad list of the international team. Robert Samuels, Wavell Hinds, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Leon Garrick make up the first five names, while a stick of dynamite in the form of Ricardo Powell is tucked away further down the list. If top-class exposure were the only criterion to go on, Jamaica would samba away with the cup unopposed.

There is, however, that strange animal termed talent, and this is where Guyana gets a look in. Led by a rejuvenated Carl Hooper and including Shivnarine Chanderpaul in its ranks, Guyana also boasts Ramnaresh Sarwan, he of the unending press coverage during the West Indies' tour to England. In the bowling department is Reon King, a fast bowler who Colin Croft considers the "best of the young group."

The fourth team to be unusually well endowed with international players is Barbados, captained by West Indian opener Sherwin Campbell. Pace bowler Corey Collymore, wicket keeper Courtney Browne and batsman Philo Wallace find spots in the squad.

History shows, however, that the presence of West Indian stars is no guarantee of victory. Last year's champions, Windward Islands, included only players that were no longer being considered for selection to the international team. Precisely these players, such as Junior Murray, Cameron Cuffy, and Rawl Lewis, piloted the side to shock wins over heavyweights Jamaica and Guyana.

The West Indies Cricket Board's efforts to expand the base of regional competition, however, see a division of the current champions into Northern and Southern Windward Islands sides. Northern Windwards will be drawn from Dominica and St. Lucia while Southern Windwards team will come from St. Vincent and Grenada.

Northern Windwards, in fact, kicks off the tournament on October 2 with a Zone A Match against Jamaica. Zone B commences in Guyana with a match between Barbados and Antigua. The final of the tournament is scheduled for October 14 at Kaiser, Jamaica.

© CricInfo