TT have Carib Beer plan for Williams

TRINIDAD and Tobago begin their challenge for the 2004 Carib Beer Cricket Trophy this morning at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre, South Trinidad, and coach David Williams’ men have a plan for their major obstacle on the Leewards team, namely Stuart Williams. Williams (S) has taken a liking to the bowlers from the twin-island republic and has scored six centuries against them in regional cricket, his latest was a scintillating 167 last year in St Thomas. He has also done very well at Guaracara Park, scoring 160 in the first innings and 114 in the second, the last time he played there in 2001. The local coach, said yesterday: “We have a plan for Stuart Williams but that cannot be revealed just yet. When he comes out to bat he will realise that we have finally gotten his number after all these years.” Williams (D) said the final national team will be selected after a look at the Guaracara Park pitch this morning.
  
“We will have a final look at the pitch and this will dictate the team we pick. We know that over the years the fast bowlers have been the ones getting the wickets at Guaracara. We will look at the condition of the strip and then decide whether to go with two spinners.” Injured left arm orthodox spinner Devindra Krishna will have to undergo a fitness test this morning before the team is announced. Manager Omar Khan said: “Krishna is obviously a very good bowler and we want him fit for the game. He will undergo a fitness test before the team is selected, so he will have every chance of getting in.” The national team did not practice yesterday as the players were allowed to break camp and return to their homes ahead of the demanding series. While at camp they endured rigorous physical and fielding exercises and Khan conducted motivational sessions with his charges.

The team also spent time doing concentration exercises with Dr Rudranath Mungroo-Persad. Williams (D) added that the national team is very confident of doing well against the Leewards and they will be going all out to get a good start to their challenge. Leeward Islands manager Ingleton Liburd was in an upbeat mood yesterday although his team was not able to practice at the Guaracara Park facility. “When we went down there rain started to fall so we could not really get a work out, but that hasn’t dampened our spirits. We are confident of doing well in the match and the team spirit is very high. “We have some experienced players like Stuart Williams and Kerry Jeremy and we are going to depend on them to lead the way.”

“We expect a good challenge from the Trinidadians, we know they have a young team and those youngsters will be going out there to prove that they are good. They have some talented batsmen in Ricardo Powell and Aneil Kanhai and the skipper Imran Jan can be very stubborn to dislodge. “However having said that the boys are all confident and we expect a good showing at Guaracara.” Chairman of the regional matches committee Azim Bassarath said:  “Guaracara Park is in the best condition we have seen it for many years. We are going to have a great game and everything is in place for the start. Play gets underway at 10 am.

Teams: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Imran Jan (capt), Dwayne Bravo, Tishan Maraj, Ricardo Powell, Shazam Babwah, Aneil Kanhai, Kenton Thompson, Gibran Mohammed, Marlon Black, Amit Jaggernauth, Devindra Krishna, Theodore Modeste, Ryad Emrit and Rodney Sooklal.
LEEWARDS: Stuart Williams (capt), Alex Adams, Wilden Cornwall, Sylvester Joseph, Shane Jeffers, Tonito Willett, Carl Tuckett, Jason Williams, Virgil Browne, Elsroy Powell, Kerry Jeremy, Chaka Hodge and Dane Weston.