Mohammed off to S/Africa Sunday

LEFT-ARM unorthodox spinner Dave Mohammed, named as replacement for fast bowler Jerome Taylor in the West Indies team in South Africa, received his travelling documents yesterday.

Mohammed, a member of PowerGen Cricket Club, got the documents from Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board chief executive officer Alloy Lequay, after they were delivered to him by West  Indies selector Joey Carew at the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Development Centre, Balmain, Couva. Lequay wished Mohammed  “all the success that is humanly possible in South Africa, where the wickets are well-known for tight spin bowling, and with your eagerness to play at this high level, the whole of Trinidad and Tobago and indeed the West Indies will be solidly behind  you to perform at the best of your ability.”

Carew said the West Indies Board “has placed much faith in this youngster and it is our hope that he will do well. He is a young man with a level head and great things are expected from him.” Mohammed said, “This opportunity is a big break for me and I hope and pray that I will not be letting the West Indies down if and when I am selected to play for the West Indies.” He said he felt ready “to play a big part in helping the West Indies regain their position as the number one team in the world. “I have gained considerable experience as a team player and I am fully prepared and ready to go ahead to show that spinners still have a place on the regional team.”

Mohammed who was involved in heavy physical training exercises at the Angostura Indoor Cricket Centre yesterday morning, will be flying out Sunday to join the rest of the West indies team  in South Africa.