TT cricketers spoiling for fight

TRINIDAD and Tobago cricket captain Daren Ganga has a golden opportunity to turn water into wine when he leads a bunch of young talented  players in the regional limited overs competition starting this weekend in Guyana. Their chances dented by injuries to several key players, Ganga’s mission is to mould the inexperienced unit into a  team capable of  upending the dreams and ambitions of their more fancied opponents. And anyone who saw the new look national team in action on Sunday and Monday against the visiting Windward Islands side could not have come away more than impressed. Granted there won’t be any Brian Lara, Dwayne Bravo, Mervyn Dillon, Ravi Rampaul, Lendl Simmons or even Dave “Tadpole” Mohammed, it is clear that the enthusiasm and  energy exuded by the replacements could more than make up for the lack of experience. And this is where Ganga, a fighter in his own right will have to marshall all his undoubted leadership qualities to channel the zest and precocious talent of his players into a winning unit.

One has to be practical however, and although cricket has been often described as a game of glorious uncertainties and although we may wish the best for our boys, it will be a stretch to even suggest that we can win the West Indies Championships. At least not as yet. Ganga and the team management have the raw material in their hands with which to fashion a team of great potential, and lay the foundation on which to build future champions. This more than ever was evident especially on Sunday when on a difficult wicket and a very slow outfield the local cricketers embraced the opportunity of a run chase, after the Windwards had made a challenging 288 for six wickets batting first. Ganga as is the custom led by example striking an impressive 66 and was only undone by his anxiety to push the scoring along, caught on the boundary ropes, the same fashion he was out the following day.

The national captain, who has had to fight his way into the West Indies team only to be cast aside for no obvious reason, is playing better than he has for many seasons, striking the ball cleanly and with a determination that suggests that he intends to reclaim his place in the Test team. He said last week that he sees no disadvantage in leading a fresh, young side into battle and embraces the challenge to get them to perform at their best of their abilities from which success is certain to emerge. And if we are to judge from the wealth of latent talent present, the other teams in the  preliminary rounds of the Guyana competition better watch out. Richard Kelly on Sunday stole the spotlight and enhanced his reputation as an all-rounder of First Class ability when strolled to the wicket at a crucial stage and took the game by the scruff of the neck which one could only compare to the style of  England’s wonderboy Andrew Flintoff. Driving, pulling and hooking with great authority Kelly needed no prompting in taking the attack to the Windwards bowlers who were obviously rattled by the audacious strokeplay of the bold young man.

His innings was a gem by any standard and served to reinstill the fighting spirit of the team and branded  their “never say die” attitude who as Ganga said are on the periphery of national selection, now thrust on the centre stage. All they need to do is grasp the opportunity for their dear life and show the region that the investment placed in them by the Cricket Board is greatly justified. From the top of the order to the bottom of the batting line-up, the young guns demonstrated that they are hungry for success and one expects that they would curb their natural exuberance and hunker down to the task at hand, one match at a time. Imran Jan and  Sherwyn Ganga, both left-handers are gifted batsmen who have a long way to go in the game as do Shazam Babwah and Gregory Mahabir. Patience must be their watchword in Guyana. Dinesh Ramdin shows that he has this precious quality which will serve him in good stead as long as he keeps his concentation behind the stumps.

Ricardo Powell, though born in Jamaica has shown that his allegiance has been firmly planted in his adopted homeland and as a lover of the bright lights may well turn around a match or two with his infectious bowling, batting and fielding prowess. The bowling has been a revelation and you can hardly remember when the Trinidad and Tobago bowling attack possessed as much menace and  venom as when  Kelly, Reyad Emrit or Theodore Modeste have the ball in their hands. The national selectors have clearly signalled that the fast bowlers and the all-rounders would shoulder the responsibilty  of taking out the opposing batsmen. It is a task not beyond their capability although Rodney Sooklal can still command his place as a specialist spinner in the team. As Windwards manager Lockhart Sebastien pointed out on Monday, the one-day game is ripe for upsets and unpredictable results. This suits Trinidad and Tobago’s game plans ideally. Unfancied and not on the radar screen, the young guns could well be the spoilers of this year’s tournament.