Lara, Dillon back for Bajan clash

Out are opening batsman Tishan Maraj, who failed to make any impression throughout the season, and leg-spinner Sanjiv Gooljar, who sustained an injured left knee prior to last weekend’s clash against the Windward Islands at Shaw Park, Scarborough.

Despite the Trinidad and Tobago batting failing miserably at Shaw Park, this match against the Bajans presents another opportunity for Lendl Simmons, Gregory Mahabir, Sherwin Ganga and West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo to regain lost form at the crease.

Lara, captain Daren Ganga and his deputy Denesh Ramdin are the only batsmen to score hundreds so far this season and, against the tournament leaders, will be the mainstays of the batting order, while opener Imran Khan maintains his spot in the squad.

Dillon was omitted following last month’s trial match at UWI, St Augustine, but joins Bravo, fellow pacers Richard Kelly and Rayad Emrit, as well as spinners Dave Mohammed and Amit Jaggernauth in the bowling department.

Following Monday’s 86-run whipping by the Windwards, Ganga (D) was keen on Lara’s return to the national line-up. "Obviously he’s going to be a boost for us, in our batting, and we definitely faulted in this game. I don’t think that’s the only area that we’re struggling in," he continued. "Our fielding is pathetic, I must say. Whatever the reason is for that, I think we need to sit down and look at it, try to get things right because we don’t really have time."

Regarding the struggles of the batsmen, noticeably openers Simmons and Maraj, Ganga (D) said, "(after) the last game (against Guyana) a lot of people were asking about our openers in terms of the starts which we were getting as a batting unit. Definitely, a lot of concerns have been raised coming into this game."

Admitting that both Simmons and Maraj were expected to come good in this match, the TT captain pointed out, "we’ve found ourselves with the same sort of problems. So I’m definitely sure that there are going to be changes in terms of that, trying to get the right combinations in terms of getting our batting clicking.

"It’s always going to be difficult having only two guys or three guys scoring runs for you in a team of 11," he added. "So we’re going to look at that, we’re going to try to come up with the right combination of players for this game against Barbados."

Concerning rumours of alleged indiscipline within the squad Ganga (D) stated: "I’m hearing some reports about some players breaking curfews and stuff like that. Obviously there is the manager and guys who are going to deal with situations like that. It’s just unfortunate.

"I think, on the cricket aspect, we really and truly didn’t play disciplined. I thought the bowlers bowled really well (but) the support on the field lacked. Dropping about 14 catches in an entire game, you’re always going to find yourselves behind the eighth ball.

As far as Monday’s second innings score of 88 was concerned, "nobody really put their hands up, nobody showed that they wanted to come out there and do it for Trinidad and Tobago and that was sad.

"We lacked application in that regard," added the 26-year-old. "Something definitely needs to be done in terms of us getting ourselves ready for the game against Barbados."

Meanwhile, Windwards captain Rawl Lewis was extremely pleased with his team’s effort. "We were at the bottom of the table coming into this game and Trinidad (and Tobago) were (joint) top of the table," said the 31-year-old. "It’s good to come here and get a victory."

Looking at the decisive moment in the game, Lewis noted: "after we got 218 in the first innings we thought, on a pitch like that, obviously it was going to deteriorate and we didn’t want to bat on it last.

The TT squad is: Daren Ganga (capt), Sherwin Ganga, Gregory Mahabir, Denesh Ramdin, Rayad Emrit, Imran Khan, Mervyn Dillon, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Bravo, Brian Lara, Richard Kelly, Dave Mohammed, Amit Jaggernauth. Manager is Omar Khan and coach David Williams.