Ryan set for TT debut

QUEEN’S PARK batsman Earnil Ryan will make his first-class debut against Kenya, when Trinidad and Tobago face the Africans in the third round of the this year’s Carib Beer Cricket series starting at Shaw Park, Tobago, today. The 22-year-old Ryan caught the eyes of the national selectors during the Pizza Hut North/South Classic where he struck a boundary-studded 57 in North’s second innings. Apart from this, Ryan  had some useful scores during the trials and has always been a consistent player with Queen’s Park on the domestic scene. He comes into the team as the replacement for opener Tishan Maraj who has been drafted into the West Indies Under-19 training camp. Maraj is one of the main batsmen on the regional youth team who will play in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh next month.

The Trinidad and Tobago batting line-up will be skipper Imran Jan, Dwayne Bravo, Kenton Thompson, Aneil Kanhai and Ryan. Gibran Mohammed who has impressed as a wicket keeper/batsman in the series so far has been retained and management will make a choice just before the start on the bowling composition. It is highly likely that the same bowling attack of Marlon Black, Ryad Emrit, Devindra Krishna and Amit Jaggernauth will be utilised. However skipper Jan noted that the Kenyans were susceptible against slow bowlers and this may sway the selectors in favour of a third spinner in Rodney Sooklal. Meanwhile the national team had to share the Shaw Park venue with the Kenyans yesterday morning, as it is the only practice facility available in Tobago. Manager Omar Khan said: “We had a good workout in the morning but had to share the facilities with the Kenyans. “They also had a workout and we were able to get a glimpse of what they have on show. “We are not intimidated by them, we know that they are an international side and reached the “Super Sixes” of the World Cup, but every game is different and we are going into this one very positive.”

Khan noted: “So far they have lost to the West Indies ‘B’ who we defeated and had the wrong end of a draw against the Leewards, who were beaten on first innings by Trinidad and Tobago in the opening game. “All the guys are fit and focused and we are determined to collect maximum 12 points from this game. That is our team goal. “Before the tournament got off we set ourselves a target of getting three outright wins in the five home games. So far we have one and we will be looking to reach closer to our goal in this game.” Kenyan captain Steve Tikolo was quietly confident that his side can give a good showing against the hosts. “Every game we play we are getting better and better and we are sure to improve in this game. Everything went wrong in the first clash but our batting showed up in the second.

The bowling was disappointing and the bowlers will have to insure that they bowl a better line and length this time around.” “We are here to improve our cricket and at the same time we want to do well and beat teams.” So far former captain Maurice Odumbe has been the star of the Kenyan party. He scored a half century and took nine wickets in the first game and then followed this up with a double century in the last match. Chairman of the regional matches committee Azim Bassarath said everything is great as far as preparations are concerned and that everything will be in place for the 10 am start.

Teams: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Imran Jan (capt), Dwayne Bravo, Kenton Thompson, Earnil Ryan, Aneil Kanhai, Shazam Babwah, Gibran Mohammed, Ryad Emrit, Marlon Black, Theodore Modeste, Amit Jaggernauth, Devindra Krishna and Rodney Sooklal, coach David Williams, manager Omar Khan.
KENYA: Steve Tikolo (capt), Matin Suji, Peter Ongondo, Maurice Odumbe, Hitesh Modi, Brijlal Patel, Lameck Onyango, Alfred Luseno, Kennedy Obuya, Maurice Ouma, Francis Otieno, Collins Obuya, Ravindu Shah and Rageb Aga.