Lara, Dillon out clash with Jamaica

Chairman of the national cricket selection panel Dudnath Ramkeesoon said yesterday that opener Imran Jan although removed as captain was not fired as suggested in a newspaper report. “Jan was not fired. Before the series got underway the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) informed Jan that he was to serve as the interim captain until regular captain Daren Ganga comes back from South Africa,” said Ramkeesoon. “Ganga did not come back immediately after the series, as he had to attend to matters pertaining to his studies in England. He returned one day before the Guyana match and we thought that we should allow Jan to continue so that Daren can get to know more about the players and the team before taking  over,” he said.

“When Daren returned he telephoned me and I told him what we were going to do. He said that he was going to suggest that to the selectors anyway. After the Guyana match we think that Daren can now comfortably take over the reigns. I spoke to Jan in Guyana and thanked him for his services and he told me that he was happy for the opportunity and will be willing to do the same again,” Ramkeesoon said. The top cricket Board official said four West Indies players will be out of the Jamaican match starting at Alpart tomorrow. West Indies captain Brian Lara and fast bowler Mervyn Dillon has been advised to take a rest for up to 14 days by physiotherapist Sunnit Leibenburg to shake off little niggling injuries. Ricardo Powell still has a muscle injury and Dave Mohammd is nursing an injured groin.