Confident TT take on Leewards

A CONFIDENT Trinidad and Tobago captain Daren Ganga and his youthful team will take on Leeward Islands in a crucial Carib Beer Cricket Series ninth round match at the Salem Park, Montserrat today from 10 am. Ganga and his boys are aiming for full points and an opportunity to maintain their position for a chance to qualify for the Carib Beer Challenge Trophy final.

The top two teams at the end of the ten-match round robin series will automatically advance to the CB Challenge final and vie for the US$5,000 winner’s prize. TT whipped Jamaica in their eighth round match at Shaw Park, Tobago, which concluded on Monday last. The impressive come-from-behind 70-run triumph kept TT’s chances alive for one of the two top spots, but they must stop the Sylvester Joseph-led Leewards (52 points) who hold a four-point lead over the “TT Young Stars” (48), and today’s game could well determine which team finish runner-up.

Ganga expressed happiness with TT’s recent victory over Jamaica and was very enthusiastic with the batting form of youthful Lendl Simmons who hit a brilliant 200, Denesh Ramdin and Richard Kelly. But Jamaican-born Ricardo Powell’s batting form has been a big disappointment since his return from Australia. Leewards are expected to make a few changes with ex-WI pacer Kerry Jeremy doubtful. Their batting will again bank on the prolific form of skipper Joseph, Stuart Williams, Ridley Jacobs and all-rounder Wilden Cornwall.

Teams: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (from): Daren Ganga (capt), Denesh Ramdin, Lendl Simmons, Imran Khan, Ricardo Powell, Samuel Badree, Richard Kelly, Reyad Emrit, Dave Mohammed, Mervyn Dillon, Amit Jaggernauth, Gregory Mahabir and Rishi Bachan.
LEEWARDS: (from) Sylvester Joseph (captain), Stuart Williams, Runako Morton, Ian Tittle, Omari Banks, Ridley Jacobs, Wilden Cornwall, Carl Simon, Lionel Baker, Brian Stephanie, Adam Sanford, Shane Jeffers and Junie Mitchum.
Umpires: Basil Morgan (Leewards) and Goaland Greaves (Windwards).