No more trials for TT cricketers

The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has decided to do away with trial matches for the purpose of selecting national teams next year.

On Saturday TTCB president Ellis Lewis, together with team manager Omar Khan and other stakeholders held a special meeting to discuss the way forward for the national team. They agreed that holding trials makes no sense with the inclement weather and set-up of the national team. A source close to the national team told Newsday: “It makes no sense keeping the trial matches when most of the time the players don’t take it seriously and rain is always a threat.” What they have decided is that after the Carib National Cricket League series,  a squad will be named for continued preparation.

According to the informant, this squad will comprise 18 players, and will start preparations for the Red Stripe Bowl in June.  The Bowl is contested in October. And after the Bowl, a core of players will begin preparation for the Carib Beer Series. “With this method the players will be in camp longer and will have the opportunity to  undergo mental preparations and thorough physical training.  “They will then play games against top local clubs, for example in preparing for the Red Stripe Bowl they can play against the Carib Cup champions or the Carib Sunday Cricket League winners,” the informant said.

Seven of the eight scheduled days so far in two trial matches have been completely washed out by rain,  with only one full day of cricket completed. The squad in the meantime have been busy trying to get in shape indoors at the National Cricket Centre (NCC), under new coach David Williams. Meanwhile, the national players will attempt to get in a  third  trial match expected to begin on Friday at the NCC.

Team: IMRAN JAN’S XI: Imran Jan, Dwayne Bravo, Earnil Ryan, Aneil Kanhai, Ricardo Powell, Kenton Thompson, Ricardo Paty, Navin Chan, Amit Jaggernauth, Avidesh Samaroo, Kieron Lynch, Brent Harriot and Samuel lix.