TT go for third straight...

REGIONAL cricket makes a return to Clarke Road, Penal after two years today and manager of the Trinidad and Tobago cricket team Omar Khan is calling on residents of the area to turn up in their numbers when Trinidad and Tobago oppose India 'A' from 10 am.

Trinidad and Tobago with two wins from their last two outings in the Carib Beer Cricket Series come up against India 'A' still coming to terms with the conditions in the Caribbean.  A large crowd is expected to converge on the second newest local venue to see the action and support the local team.

Definitely receiving support will be hometown boy Mukesh Persad who lives just a mere 50 yards away from the ground.

The authorities at the Wilson Road venue have done a lot of improvement work and has covered the two major stands which should attract better crowds than the last time India 'A' played here three years ago.

Club president Baldath Mahabir yesterday said: "We have added dirt to the pitch and it is the same type that was used at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva.

"The pitch is expected to play a little faster than traditional and we expect to get in some great cricket this weekend. " Trinidad and Tobago manager Omar Khan said his boys were confident of continuing their winning streak and they are bent on not letting the Indians have their way against them.

"The India 'A' team is a strong one but on form we are backing ourselves to get them in this game. All the boys are fit and ready and we will choose our final team just before the start of play," he added.

Trinidad and Tobago will be led by West Indies batsman Daren Ganga with support from fellow regional players Dinanath Ramnarine and Marlon Black. Younger players in the team have also been performing very well with Dwayne Bravo leading the way.  The national team had an intense workout at Wilson Road yesterday and all the players are keen to get on with the game this morning.  Meanwhile the Indians had a session at the Queen's Park Oval and skipper Vangipurappu Laxman said he was confident that his players will give a good show today.

 "We are obviously here to gain experience and better our chances for national places but at the same time we have a tournament to play and we are focused on winning the International trophy.

"All the players are fit and we look forward to a great game in South Trinidad. The conditions from what we have been told would suit us a bit so we are confident of getting in a good game against the locals."

The match begins at 10 am but before this, Minister of Local Government Jerry Narace has been invited by Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control president and CEO Alloy Lequay to meet the players. 

Teams: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (from) - Daren Ganga (capt), Imran Jan (vice-capt), Andy Jackson, Dwayne Bravo, Lincoln Roberts, Zaheer Ali, Lendl Simmons, Navin Chan, Dinanath Ramnarine, Marlon Black, Mukesh Persad, Ravi Rampaul and Theodore Modeste. Coach Phil Simmons, manager Omar Khan.

INDIA 'A': Vangipurappu Laxman (capt), Hemang Badani, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Akash Chopra, Gautam Gambhir, Abhijit Kale, Murali Kartik, Amit Mishra, Rakesh Patel, Ajay Ratra, Ambati Rayudu, Avishkar Salvi, Connor Williams, Jai Yadav and Tinu Yohannan.