Allow more overseas players

Manager of Tile It Central Sports Vonnie Roberts is calling on the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control (TTCBC) to increase the number of foreign players allowed to play in the domestic Carib cricket competition.

At present only one foreign player is allowed to take part in the Trinidad Cricket Board of Control (TTCBC) competition and this according to Roberts is not good enough for the standard of local cricket. “I think we need two foreign-based players. First it can only enhance the team because here it is you can have players who would have played First Class cricket, playing with these guys. Their cricket will only improve and by extension the standard of the league will raise.” “Remember the guys who are sought after really are former West Indies cricketers who have all that experience that can really help our youths.

By being in the team they can mould the team into a better unit. For example the presence of Keith Arthurton at Preysal has made them into such a wonderful team. I think without Arthurton you may not have a Preysal.,” Roberts said. “He plays for the senior team, he manages the Under-21 team, he is there morning, noon and night, the players respect him. If you look at his fielding, batting and bowling, it is tops. He leads by example and as a result the players play with him and the standard of the club raise. This would enhance Trinidad and Tobago’s cricket and by extension West Indies cricket,” the Tile It official said. Roberts also drew another example using Manchester United. “If you look at Manchester United the team is not only based on players from Manchester but all over England and other countries. Yet they are a major part of the England football set-up and serve the national team very well,” he said.

Another Central Sports official Chris Ramdat believes that the Trinidad Cricket Board should increase the amount of prize money in order to increase the appetite for the game. “It costs you over $100,000 to run the club for the season and when you play for a top prize of just $35,000, it is disappointing. I am not saying that the Board have the funds and are not using it, what I am saying is that they need to find ways to increase the prize money. I understand that the Board is strapped for cash with all the magnificent work they are doing at Couva but at the same time they need to do something about increasing the winnings,” he said.