Confident TT face Guyana in Carib Beer opener

THERE is much expectation as a confident Trinidad and Tobago led by Daren Ganga take on a youthful Guyana team  in their Carib Beer Cricket Series opening round match starting today at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva, from 10 am. Since Ganga’s men  won the West Indies Cricket Board President’s Cup in  October last, when they dethroned Guyana in the final, all Trinidadians are eagerly looking forward for greater things from the national team in the 2005 regional first class season. This year’s series has been expanded into a 10-round robin league competition, five home and five away matches. Fortunately, Ganga have the services of  the seven leading players who contributed to the team’s historic achievement, after eight years without a senior regional title. 

He has younger brother Sherwin, WI all-rounder Ricardo Powell, Shazam Babwah, Imran Jan, Samuel Badree, Dinesh Ramdin and Richard Kelly in the 14-member squad, fully prepared for the today’s showdown. The challenge for the TT team now is to translate those heart-warming performances into greater glory in the CBCS four-day two-innings competition. And if there should be any cue, skipper Ganga has already expressed confidence and given the “thumbs up” for his team’s readiness for the big challenge. His confidence cannot be misplaced as the team is strengthened by the return of  WI Test spinner Dave Mohammed and off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth, who with 30 scalps last year, was the leading wicket-taker in the Carib Beer Series.

In addition, newcomers Rishi Bachan (left-arm spinner) and Kyron Lynch (fast bowler) should add greater variety and impetus for TT’s chances of making it a unique regional double-crown celebration. This TT team has been well prepared physically and mentally by trainer Gerard Garcia and coach David Williams. Guyana will have a new leader in allrounder Damodar Deasrath who has improved immensely. His team will take much heart from the resilience and doggedness displayed in last year’s Carib Beer Series when they met at the Albion Regional Community ground. Guyana won that game convincingly and went on to qualify for the Carib Challenge Series semi-finals.

Heading their batting list is talented Narsingh Deonarine who made 256 not out for Berbice against Demerara in the annual Inter-County championship recently, while in their final trial match at GCC, Bourda; newcomer Ryan Ramdass (152 runs) and Sewnarine Chattergoon (79) posted 181 for the first wicket partnership while skipper Deasrath (152) and newcomer Troy Cornelius (94) featured in a 232-run fourth wicket partnership out of 557 for seven declared for the Deasrath XI. Also among the runs were Krishna Arjune (203) and Azeemul Haniff (96) in a 214-run first wicket stand for McGarrell’s XI.

Teams: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (from): Daren Ganga (capt), Sherwin Ganga, Lendl Simmons, Ricardo Powell, Sahazam Babwah, Imran Jan, Samuel Badree, Dinesh Ramdin, Richard Kelly, Dave Mohammed, Rishi Bachan, Amit Jaggernauth, Kyron Lynch and Theodore Modeste.
Officials are: Giles Antoine (manager), David Williams (coach), Gerard Garcia (trainer) and Rohit Balkissoon (scorer).
GUYANA (from): Damodar Daesrath (capt), Narsingh Deonarine (vice-capt), Krishna Arjune, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Ryan Ramdass, Assad Fudadin, Troy Cornelius, Neil McGarrell, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Vishal Nagamootoo, Imran Jafarally, Trevon Garraway and Rayon Thomas. Officials are: Carl Moore (manager) and Albert Smith (coach).
Umpires are Camal Basdeo (TT) and Basil Morgan (J’ca). Stand-by is Kasso Dowlath (TT).