Cricketers show new professionalism

An outdoor session planned for yesterday had to be curtailed shortly after it started when heavy rain drenched Gilbert Park, California.

Omar Khan, manager of the Trinidad and Tobago cricket team said yesterday the players however did not waste any time immediately returning to the indoor nets of the Sir Frank Worrell Development Centre at Balmain.

Khan, who managed the national cricketers to victory in the President’s Cup regional one-day tournament in 2004 said despite the setback he is impressed with the level of professionalism shown by the young team led by Daren Ganga.

"These players are showing a different level of commitment and approach to their job. They have a highly professional aproach, which is something I have stressed and it is showing in their organisational outlook," said Khan.

He said the cricketers are highly motivated and have a burning desire to do well and make Trinidad and Tobago proud.

The PowerGen Corpo-rate Communications Manager said that the team’s chances against defending champions Jamaica has been boosted by the return of West Indies allrounder Dwayne Bravo and Test wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.

Both young Trinida-dians impressed on the recent tour of Australia with the West Indies team and are being looked upon to continue their exploits on the regional level.

"Both Bravo and Ramdin bring a lot of support and experience to the national team. They will provide assistance to the younger players who have someone to look up to," said Khan.

And if Trinidad and Tobago are to do well against the Jamaicans, Khan believes captain Ganga will have a crucial role and expects the right handed opener to make a strong claim for selection of the West Indies team.

Ganga scored an im-pressive century in a trial match on the UWI Ground last week and looked in ominous form ahead of the third round encounter against the Jamaicans.

Khan said the Barrack-pore batsman who has two back-to-back Test centuries to his name both against Australia started well in the Carib Beer Series scoring a well-played 63 in the opening match against the Lee-wards in Anguilla.

"Daren is a top class player who with a couple good innings at regional level should be considered for selection on the West Indies team to play Zimbabwe and India later this year," said Khan.

He said Ganga has been one of the most prolific scorers in regional cricket but must maintain the level of consistency at Test level to cement his place in the regional team.

Khan also held out high hopes for young Jason Mohammed, selected for the West Indies Under-20 team for the World Cup where he will undertake the vice-captain duties.

Mohammed scored a scintillating century in last week’s trial match and Khan feels he has an excellent chance to make his senior debut against the Jamaicans tomorrow.

"Jason is an excellent player who has demonstrated he has a lot of time to play his shots. He is a tremendous talent and if he shows the kind of consistency we know he can will be an asset to the team," said Khan.

Also expected to feature prominently if Trinidad and Tobago are to match the Jamaicans is solid middle-order batsman Gregory Mahabir who also showed excellent form with a half-century in last week’s trial match.