TT get four picks on Prez XI

Trinidad and Tobago have been rewarded with four picks on the President’s XI team to oppose the visiting Sri Lankans in their final warm-up match in St Vincent.

This was revealed by a source close to the Trinidad and Tobago cricket team yesterday. Trinidad and Tobago captain Daren Ganga will skipper the team that will include his fellow countrymen Dave Mohammed, Dwayne Bravo and Aniel Kanhai. Ganga made headlines against Australia with back-to-back Test centuries in the first and second Cable and Wireless Tests against Australia.After being omitted against the Australians for the one day series the selectors have decided to give him a chance of getting in some much needed batting practice ahead of the First Test against the Sri Lankans that gets underway on June 20 in St Lucia. Mohammed who tasted one Day action with the West Indies team on tour of Kenya in 2001 gets a chance to show his wares as a candidate for the spin bowling department.

Anguillan Omari Banks was the first choice spinner used against the Australians and turned heads in his direction after his fine all-round displays. He got 46 not out in the world record score of 418 for seven that gave the West Indies their lone victory in the Test series. Mohammed will have to bowl exceptionally well to dislodge Banks. Dwayne Bravo, the talented Queen’s Park batsman enjoyed a good Carib Beer regional competition and runs against the visitors will keep the selectors looking in his direction. Bravo has developed into an all rounder in the last couple of seasons and will be looked upon to perform both roles if chosen for the regional side.

Ceramic Trinidad Merryboys middle order batsman Aniel Kanhai earns his pick after a very successful Carib Beer series playing for the West Indies “B” team. Kanhai scored a double century against his home country and got another later in the season. The left-hander is a no-nonsense type of batsman and will be eager to taste international action. The four players will immediately start training in preparation for the match before they leave for  St Vincent.