TT aim at regaining their winning touch

The past season was a topsy-turvy one for the TT squad — they won the President’s Cup limited-overs title in October 2004 but failed once again to lift the regional four-day title, a feat which have eluded the team since 1985.

And their defence of the WI one-day crown was horrendous from start to finish, as the TT team failed to win any of their five preliminary round games.

Ganga was hopeful for a quick turnaround of fortunes, starting from this weekend’s clash against the Leewards. "I think we’ve had a decent amount of preparation," said Ganga on Tuesday, a day before the team left for Anguilla. "We’ve suffered a little bit because of the weather condition — not being able to have outdoor practice sessions. But, all and all, I’m happy with the preparations."

The 26-year-old Ganga revealed that, following the poor showing in the 2005 President’s Cup, that the mental focus of the players was dealt with during the trial sessions.

"The guys have been learning a lot about the mental aspects of cricket and mental preparations of our game," Ganga admitted. "We’ve played one practice game over the weekend and things have looked good.

"All our players look on song, their form (are) good so we’re just looking forward to getting it right and being able to execute as players in our first game against the Leeward Islands," he noted. The team will be without the services of star batsman Brian Lara, wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin and allrounder Dwayne Bravo, who are all with the West Indies team in Australia, as well as injured fast bowler Ravi Rampaul and Jamaican-born batsman Ricardo Powell, who is unavailable for TT’s first two games.

"These players are players of experience, who’ve been there and done that," said Ganga. "We’ll definitely miss them.

"But we’ve had young players who’re willing to make that step up, who’re willing to fill the void left by these guys," he countered. "I’m sure they’re going to rise to the challenge." With the WI team reeling from a 3-0 Test series whitewash, Ganga is also seeking to stake a claim for an international recall. "I am going to focus on doing well for Trinidad and Tobago first and foremost," he stressed. "Once I can achieve that, I’m definitely sure it’s going to elevate me on to the higher level. Ganga continued, "I’m looking forward to the challenge. I enjoy playing for Trinidad and Tobago, I enjoy representing my country and I’m just hoping to take this young team and do well in this Carib Beer Series." And coach David Williams is also paying particular attention to the players who have gotten their chance to shine in the absence of Lara, Ramdin, Bravo, Rampaul and Powell.

"One outstanding player is Samuel Badree who has done very well in all the trial games that we have played," said the ex-TT and WI wicketkeeper. "We also have Imran Khan doing well in the three-day games (and) the bowlers (have) been doing a tremendous job."