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The Valley, Anguilla Having surrendered their cup title, Barbados will try to restore some pride over the next four days.

They will be seeking a place in the semifinals of the International Shield when they oppose the Leeward Islands in a sixth round Busta Series match at the Ronald Webster Park starting today.

Barbados, sixth among the eight teams in the standings with 24 points, face a tall order if they are to progress to the International Shield, which is contested by the top four teams at the end of the preliminary phase.

They will need to beat the Leeward Islands this weekend and the West Indies 'B' next weekend and then hope that other results go in their favour.

Leewards, second on 39 points, have always been one of the most feared teams at regional level, but recent history points to Barbados having a chance in the Leewards' backyard.

Last season, when Barbados were desperately trying to stay in contention for the cup, they toppled the Leewards at Grove Park in Nevis, with Ryan Hinds, known more for his batting, setting up the victory with a regional record match haul of 15 wickets.

Two seasons earlier, Barbados beat the Leewards at Webster Park, with another left-arm orthodox spinner, Winston Reid, snatching a career-best eight-wicket haul in the first innings.

The Leewards have had a tendency to have difficulties against spinners who turn the ball away from right-handed batsmen, and Barbados are likely to recall left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn in place of off-spinner Ryan Austin.

Fast bowler Tino Best, who was asked to sit out the last match against Bangladesh 'A' following the return of four West Indies selectees, is also tipped to feature in Barbados' first four-pronged fast bowling attack in a few seasons.

Barbados will also be closely monitoring the other matches.

They will be hoping that Jamaica, the cup champions-in-waiting, secure maximum points against fourth-placed Trinidad and Tobago.

Barbados will also want bottom-of-the-table Bangladesh 'A' to deny fifth- placed Windward Islands and for seventh-placed West Indies 'B' to avoid defeat against Guyana.

Standings:

Jamaica 51, Leeward Islands 39, Guyana 36, Trinidad and Tobago 33, Windward Islands 30, Barbados 24, West Indies 'B' 12, Bangladesh 'A 10.

© The Barbados Nation