Ganga praises team-mates, officials

TRINIDAD and Tobago cricket captain Daren Ganga was effusive in his praise for his teammates and the management staff following their sensational victory against Guyana on Sunday to win the regional President’s Cup tournament. The understrength Trinidad and Tobago team overcame a batting slump to beat the defending champions by four wickets at Kensington Oval in Barbados to claim their second limited overs championship in eight years. And after the match Ganga said the impressive performances throughout the tournament will give his teammates the respect that they deserved after starting off as underdogs.

Chasing a modest 161 from 45 overs in a rain-affected match, Trinidad and Tobago achieved their goal when Richard Kelly drove medium-fast bowler Esuan Crandon to long-on for a single to give his side victory with 34 balls to spare. Kelly, who was named “Man-of-the-Match,” hit three sixes in an unbeaten 42 from 64 balls, but fellow left-hander Imran Jan, who struck four fours in an undefeated 54 from 100 balls, was the mainstay in their drive for victory after early disaster. The two shared an unbroken stand of 77 for the seventh wicket that lifted their side from the uncertainty of 83 for six in the 21st over to enable West Indies batsman Daren Ganga the privilege of being the sixth TT captain to lift the regional trophy.

“To be part of this is just special,” Ganga said in the post-match presentation function... “I want to congratulate my wonderful team. This is brilliant stuff. It has been a consistent run for us playing good cricket all around and it is just reward for the hard work we have put in. “This will bring more respect to TT cricket and the cricketers. We will have to continue working hard from this point and use this to propel us to becoming the best team in the four-day competition as well. It is inspirational for the guys, and the up and coming players. This shows what team spirit and believing in yourself can do.”

The win was especially significant since several star players were missing including West Indies captain Brian Lara as well as veteran fast bowler Mervyn Dillon, Dwayne Bravo, Dave Mohammed, Ravi Rampaul and middle-order batsman Lendl Simmons. “We’ve got talented guys,” Ganga said. “These guys are quality players. Although we missed the seasoned players, I think we have guys who are willing to do well for their country and willing to work hard. “This is something that is very good for West Indies cricket and I just urge the guys to continue in that sort of vein and I am sure that they will be playing cricket very soon on the international level.” Ganga also praised the work of team officials led by manager Omar Khan and also including coach David Williams and trainer Gerard Garcia.