Tamar Lambert sees the semi-final of this year’s Regional 4-Day Tournament against Trinidad & Tobago, starting on Friday here, as another step on a journey to leave an incredible legacy behind for the game in Jamaica.
The Jamaica captain said his side was prepared for the challenge from Denesh Ramdin’s team and they understood the importance of winning, knowing how hard they have worked hard over a number of years including this season to develop a successful unit.
"I expect it to be a challenge," Lambert told WICB Media. "It will be tough. Trinidad & Tobago are a competitive side and we have to prepare ourselves well for them.
"We are the defending champions. We did not win the Regional Super50 title and we want to make sure that we do not end the season empty-handed, so we want to win this tournament."
Reigning five-time champions Jamaica enter the semi-finals with a maximum 72 points, after winning every match in the preliminary competition, including a 93-run victory over T&T in the penultimate round.
Lambert said he was wise enough know to place too much emphasis on past victories and was eager for his side to keep their focus on build on what they had achieved during the season.
"We are going to try to take it one day at a time," he said. "Knowing it’s a semi-final, we want to play well. We are not a side that will get complacent that easily.
"We have set our goals and it is to win the Regional 4-Day Tournament and this is just another stepping stone to the Final. We will not be dwelling too much on having won every match in the preliminary competition because this is a semi-final and we will be out of the competition if we lose.
"The key will be to put runs on the board. We have struggled with our batting. Our bowling unit is capable of taking 20 wickets, but once we put the runs on the board, it will make things much easier for them."
Lambert said familiarity had bred the successful Jamaican side, which has now won an incredible 15 straight matches in the Regional 4-Day Tournament, playing most of the time without such international stars as Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Andre Russell.
"The team unity has been strong over the years," said Lambert. "We have been doing well because this group of players have been playing together since 1996. We have come through the ranks and we understand each other inside out and the game.
"We just try to play as a team, enjoy playing together and enjoy playing the game, and want to leave a positive legacy for the game in Jamaica. This semi-final will be just another game, another stepping stone, to protecting that record of success we have built over the last six seasons."
The Final of the Regional 4-Day Tournament takes places from May 9 to 12.