Fitness doubts over Mohammed, Babwah

WEST INDIES left arm spinner Dave Mohammed and consistent middle order batsman Shazam Babwah will both have to undergo fitness tests this morning before Trinidad and Tobago’s fourth round Carib Beer cricket clash against the Windward Islands at the Queen’s Park Oval. Manager Omar Khan said yesterday,  Mohammed has a groin injury, while Babwah has strained his back. He, however, added that both players have been working on their injury with physiotherapist Clinton Jeremiah and they are keeping their fingers crossed  both players come through. “Mohammed is such a good bowler and his services against the Windwards will be badly needed. Babwah has shown that he is a special talent and has so far  scored 96 and 100 for the national team this season. “These two are critical to the teams success and will be sorely missed if they fail  their fitness tests. “Apart from that everything is great with the rest of the team and all the guys are ready to do battle.”

Trinidad and Tobago are currently joint second on the table with the West Indies B on 24 points. They are 12 points behind leaders Barbados. Khan said his team will not under-estimate the opposition. He said: “The Windwards are a very competitive side and showed this with the remarkable victory over Guyana in the last round. We are not going to take them lightly, especially given the fact that they possess experienced players like Junior Murray, Rawle Lewis and Cameron Cuffy.” The only casualty in the Trinidad and Tobago line-up from the last game is spinner Devindra Krishna  who makes way for Mohammed. Sherwin Ganga who scored 152 not out for PowerGen in a Carib Sunday league match is included in the 14-man squad and is certain to be the eighth Trinidad and Tobago player this season to make a regional debut. The Windwards led by leg-spinner Rawle Lewis took in a light work out at the Oval yesterday and are very keen to continue their winning run. Grenadian teenager Andre Fletcher has been included in the Windwards team to bolster the batting.

Windward Islands Cricket Board president Lennox John said he is confident  Fletcher will come good on the regional scene. “I am sure he is going to perform well once he gets the opportunity to do so. I much rather the position of  blooding a new batsman than recycling one of the old chaps who have had the opportunity before and failed to capitalise on it.” The wicket at the Oval is expected to play on the slow side and chairman of the local organising committee Azim Bassarath said he is very happy with  preparations for the game. First day’s play bowls off at 10 am today.

Teams: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Imran Jan (capt), Amit Jaggernauth, Dwayne Bravo, Aneil Kanhai, Shazam Babwah, Gibran Mohammed, Kenton Thompson, Rayad Emrit, Marlon Black, Dave Mohammed, Sherwin Ganga, Theodore Modeste, Rodney Sooklal and Earnil Ryan.
WINDWARDS ISLANDS: Rawle Lewis (capt), Devon Smith, Rommel Currency, Roland Wilkinson, Andre Fletcher, Junior Murray, Darren Sammy, Olanzo Jackson, Deighton Butler, Shane Shillingford, Cameron Cuffy, Fernix Thomas and Kenroy Peters.