Superstars gear up for dry run

The Stanford Superstars will use tonight’s match against Middlesex to fine-tune their 20-over game ahead of the winner-takes-all contest against England.

The Caribbean representative squad have been preparing at a training camp since mid-September and Ramnaresh Sarwan says they have been bonding as a team.

Only half the Stanford party are regular West Indies internationals, so it has been a case of getting to know fellow plotters in a bid to scoop the $20million prize.

"Personally I have been preparing for over a month and, although I didn't get any runs in the first game, I feel good," said Sarwan.

"As a team we were in camp for six weeks and preparation has been good. This game will help us get ready for Saturday.

"In a situation like this I don't think you need too much to motivate you but it is important to stay mentally focused and also keep physically fit.

Ramnaresh Sarwan claims the Superstars can buck the trend of slow scoring tonight

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"One of the reasons for having a six-week camp was to get to know the players and understand each other because we have only played against each other before."

Superstars captain Chris Gayle should return to lead the side against Middlesex, although he does have a sore thumb after receiving a blow in practice.

His return would potentially add impetus to the scoring rates, which have been pedestrian on a testing surface at Coolidge.

"We are hoping to get some kind of big score, especially if the Stanford all stars side is batting first," Sarwan added.

"But generally if you look at how the wicket has played - a bit indifferent in both pace and bounce - that is one of the reasons we have been getting low scores.

"If you play proper cricket you will be able to select the right ball and get good scores. It is not a case of slashing and lashing - we have to work as a team.

"We know the history of the wicket and hopefully we will up the scoring for Saturday."

The Superstars eased to a comfortable 22-run win over Caribbean and Champions Cup winners Trinidad & Tobago in their only outing to date.

"We will probably try to play our best team, hopefully everybody will get an opportunity and we will be well prepared for Saturday," Sarwan added.

"There is space for improvement in our team - we saw that after the game against Trinidad - and if we can do that against Middlesex we will obviously be well prepared for England."