Champs TT aim to rebound

The Guyanese will also be looking for a positive result after their previous encounter against the Windward Islands ended in a no-result.

The teams have unchanged squads from their first round matches, but both selection panels, as well as the team managements, will be keeping their fingers crossed that the weather improves in time for play to start at 10 am today.

Persistent rainfall over the last two days have hampered preparation for the match, and more showers are expected during the course of the day. Trinidad and Tobago will have to do without the services of West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons, who is still nursing an injury to his right hand, and fast bowler Ravi Rampaul, who suffered a side strain during the “A” team series between the Windies and Sri Lanka.

But all-rounder Rayad Emrit, who is the only newcomer in a 14-member West Indies team for a brief tour of India later this month — which comprises of four One-day Internationals — will be looking to confirm to his critics that his selection is no fluke.

Other all-rounders Kieron Pollard and Richard Kelly will be seeking to maintain the attention of the selectors — with the ICC World Cup around the corner — with impressive performances this weekend.

And the opening pair of captain Daren Ganga and WI Under-19 batsman William Perkins will be looking to atone for their disappointing returns in Barbados with lots of runs at the oil refinery ground.

Guyana will be missing WI trio Ramnaresh Sarwan (hairline fracture on his right instep), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (fatigue) and Sewnarine Chattergoon (side strain).

Veteran left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell has been dropped at the age of 34 in favour of Veerasammy Permaul, who was the leading wicket-taker with 31 at the 2006 West Indies Under-19 tournament.

Former West Indies middle-order batsman Narsingh Deonarine will lead the Guyanese team which includes “A” team player Travis Dowlin, veteran bowlers Reon King (pace) and Mahendra Nagamootoo (leg-spin) and fast bowling all-rounder Esaun Crandon.

Teams -

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: Daren Ganga (capt), Adrian Barath, Dwayne Bravo, Mervyn Dillon, Rayad Emrit, Sherwin Ganga, Sanjiv Gooljar, Amit Jaggernauth, Richard Kelly, Theodore Modeste, Dave Mohammed, Jason Mohammed, William Perkins, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin.

GUYANA: Narsingh Deonarine (capt), Krishna Arjune, Travis Dowlin, Assad Fudadin, Azeemul Haniff, Esaun Crandon, Reon King, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Derwin Christian, Imran Jafferally, Royston Crandon, Veerasammy Permaul, Deon Farrier, Jeremy Gordon.