No TT pick for top local scorer

Belcon is currently the leading scorer in the National League Premiership Three-Day tournament but has not played for the national team in 10 years. The right-hander has scored 334 runs in seven innings this season, at an average of 55.67 with four half centuries. His highest score of 98 came against defending champions Queen’s Park in round two.

The Red Force selectors made six changes to the team that will play Barbados Pride in round nine of the Professional Cricket League Regional Four-Day tournament, starting tomorrow in Barbados.

The six players chosen ahead of Belcon are Kjorn Ottley, Akeil Cooper, Roshon Primus, Tion Webster, Ewart Nicholson and Amir Jangoo.

Cooper, Webster and Jangoo have all earned first time call ups.

Belcon said, “I am not disappointed I was omitted, I am disappointed I was never considered, I was never called. It is a hurtful thing to have the most runs in the country, the stats are there for everyone to see.

Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board has a new system in place that all scores go over the internet.

“The men who getting picked are nowhere near me in runs and right now Trinidad needs an opener. It have nobody could bat fast bowling like me now.” Belcon said rumours seem to have reached the TT CB that he is not interested in four-day cricket which he quickly dispelled.

“It is even more hurtful for my scorer to call me just now, and tell me that he was in contact with an official (named) and he told my scorer that I said I am not interested in four-day cricket... Why would I be unavailable or not interested in playing four-day cricket, but still participate in the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board three-day tournament? Does that make any sense?” he asked.

Belcon said some persons are claiming he has a discipline problem, which he also denied. “They say (I have) discipline problems, which discipline problems? I would like them to bring it forward.” Belcon recalled incidents where two national cricketers had issues of indiscipline in the past while playing club cricket, and since then they both went on to represent this country.

The 30 year old has played a total of eight matches in the T20 and 50- over formats for Trinidad and Tobago between 2006 and 2007, but has not been considered since then.

“Right now I am in the form of my life. The scores are there I just did not score a hundred. I got 98 in the Oval, if you check my stats this year I have scored runs against everybody from since the bell ring.

“I have always had ambitions to represent my country, this is the reason why I play. This is the reason why any young boy will join any sport is to reach the top. I am being overlooked, no reason is given.” Contacted yesterday, Chairman of the Red Force selection committee, Raphick Jumadeen, said, “If he’s scoring runs late in the season, what can we do? We are going to look at his performance in this year’s (club) competition, and we certainly will take note of his performances and we will do justice next year.”

TT RED FORCE SQUAD: Marlon Richards (captain), Kjorn Ottley, Isaiah Rajah, Akeil Cooper, Yannic Cariah, Roshon Primus, Tion Webster, Imran Khan, Bryan Charles, Ewart Nicholson, Sheldon Cottrell, Khary Pierre, Amir Jangoo.