Runs galore expected at Albion

A FLAT wicket and lightning fast outfield indicate a match full of runs today when a young Trinidad and Tobago team come up against defending champions and hosts Guyana at Albion as the regional limited overs competition continues. Fresh from their upset three-wicket victory against Barbados on Saturday, the Trinidad and Tobago team led by Daren Ganga is brimming with confidence of another feather in their cap after today’s crucial encounter.

Yesterday team manager Omar Khan reported from the Churchview International Hotel in Berbice that a question mark still hangs over the fitness of solid middle-order batsman Shazam Babwah. He hurt the thumb in his left hand on Saturday while fielding and has been receiving treatment for pain and swelling. Added to this, Khan said, Babwah has had a relapse of a groin injury which he sustained two weekends ago in a practice match at Balmain in Couva. Khan refused to rule out the batsman yesterday saying that a final decision will be made on the morning of the match. The Trinidad and Tobago team has been beset by injuries and are already without star batsman and West Indies captain Brian Lara, experienced fast bowler Mervyn Dillon, exciting allrounder Dwayne Bravo and stroke maker Lendl Simmons.

However they dug deep into their reserves and pulled off an astounding victory against the highly touted Barbados team on Saturday, a performance they hope to repeat today against Guyana led by dependable West Indies left-batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Khan admits that it would not be an easy feat to overturn the home side. “They will have the home support and will want to do well before their fans. But if we play as a team and adapt our game to the changing situations there is no reason why we won’t be able to come out the winners,” he said. Khan said he stressed to the players in a team meeting yesterday that they should be able to out-think their opponents and execute their game plan efficiently to get the maximum results. “Our players are in form. The opening batsmen Imran Jan and Sherwin Ganga were among the runs and wickets on Saturday. We are hoping that the others could play a part against Guyana and keep our challenge in the tournament alive,” said Khan.

The TT team left Georgetown yesterday morning and arived in Berbice around noon and had a full practice session in the afternoon which lasted close to three hours. The weather continues to be very hot and another scorcher is expected today. Khan said he emphasised to his players that they should take every match one by one with the goal of five victories out of five at the end of the week. He said that should Babwah be ruled out due to his injury the batting slot should go to either young Jonathan Augustus or Tranquillity Secondary student Earnil Ryan, both of whom have been knocking on the door of the selectors for some time. In any event Khan said the decision will be made today when either player will be given the chance to impress on the team which has fostered great expectation among their home fans. The top four teams in the tournament advance to the semi-finals and final in Barbados at the end of the month.