Murray opens first cricket season

It was the first opportunity for the former West Indies wicketkeeper to officially start a cricket season after being elected president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board last September. It was however a belated start to the 2006 programme as unusual seasonal rain prevented the competition from getting underway two weeks ago.

However at Saturday's launch, sunny weather prevailed as Murray and other top officials of the Cricket Board were present at Inshan Ali Park in Preysal to get the competition underway. Among the TTCB officers were vice-president Dudnath Ramkessoon, executive member Dr Allen Sammy, while Colin Murray, Marketing and Promotions Manager of Carib Beer represented the sponsors of the competition. Also on hand were Shiraz Mohammed, chairman of the National Cricket League and Rangy Nanan, former Trinidad and Tobago captain and outstanding offspinner. Making the formal introductions was Anthony Harford. Dr Sammy expressed his gratitude to Carib Beer for their generous sponsorship of the Sunday League saying he felt very strongly about the contribution of sponsors.

"Without sponsors cricket will perish, not only the one-day form of the game but the other competitions," he said.

He said the organisers of the competition have been playing a cat and mouse game with the weather with the result that the start of the Sunday League was postponed until last Saturday. He however said that valuable time lost will be made up since the two weekends allotted to the visit of Zimbabwe will now be utilised for Sunday League matches since the Africans were not longer coming to the Caribbean.

Zimbabwe last week announced a self-imposed Test ban which has put their short tour of the West Indies for two-Tests and five One-Day Internationals highly unlikely.

Dr Sammy said the National Cricket League will shortly make a statement concerning this latest development after discussions with the Sunday League clubs.

Colin Murray in his short address welcomed the inclusion of Tobago in the Sunday League competition saying it was a positive development that will help produce top cricketers in the sister isle.

He said Carib Beer is playing its part to encourage competition but it is up to the clubs to develop their programmes to nurture the talent of their young members so that they can get selected on the Trinidad and Tobago team and ultimately the regional Test side.

"With hard work and commitment we hope to see new faces pushing for selection so that we can build a strong national team. You must set goals and achieve them," Murray said.

In his turn president of the Cricket Board, Deryck Murray, said he was pleased to open his first national cricket season and that he looked forward to a very competitive programme of matches.

"My wish is that the matches are played in the right spirit and with a show of sportsmanship so that the right standards will be maintained.

"The opportunity is there for players to achieve the highest level of the game and further their careers," Murray said.

He expressed his appreciation for the assistance of Carib Beer in sponsoring the Sunday League and wished for their continued support of national cricket.

"The players and officials have a responsibility to ensure that the game is played in the best spirit," Murray said.

The opening ceremony preceded the match between home side CLICO Preysal and Alescon Comet of Charlieville, Chaguanas.