Jan back in cricket fray today

Imran Jan is scheduled to join his Trinidad and Tobago counterparts at the National Cricket Centre Balmain, Couva today. Jan was excluded from the 31-member senior squad called up by the Trinidad and Tobago selectors to prepare for the upcoming West Indies Board regional First Class season. The left-handed Queen’s Park Cricket Club allrounder’s omission followed management reports he  refused to open the batting after two matches in the recent President’s Cup regional limited overs competition. Yet he maintained his position in the starting line-up and batted lower down and starred with the bat (unbeaten half-century) in the final against Guyana at the Kensington Oval, Barbados. Bowling his off-spinners he contributed handily to the bowling attack and emerged as the leading bowler with 13 wickets overall.

The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board’s chairman of senior selectors Dudnath Ramkessoon and his fellow selectors decided to give Jan another chance to mend his ways and adhere to the team’s policies. He apologised for his indiscretions and was fined his fee for one match. Jan also agreed to under counseling which will be arranged and supervised with the help of the West Indies Players Association. He is the 32nd player called up. West Indies captain Brian Lara has not joined the squad while Mervyn Dillon, Rodney Sooklal (illness) and Aneil Kanhai missed out yesterday’s session. Kanhai’s wife gave birth to their first child yesterday and asked to be excused from the sessions which are conducted by coach David Williams and trainer Gerald Garcia.

Earlier in the day all members of the triumphant TT President’s Cup team and the Carib Cup team were celebrated by Angostura Limited which provided monetary incentives ($1 million over the five-year period) for all the players to excel in the annual regional tournaments. Skipper Daren Ganga and his team were all involved in yesterday’s practice and they are eager to also win the Carib Beer Series Cup (four-day title). Williams expressed his satisfaction with the “dedication and discipline shown by all the players.” “The players have shown the right attitude and are working real hard to get into top shape. This will make it very competitive for the final places on the team. We are happy to see this type of commitment and it augurs well in relation to their overall readiness to give of their best for the new season,” said Williams.