Sampath likely to coach TT at Red Stripe Bowl

Former Trinidad and Tobago cricketer and current manager of the Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 team Roland Sampath is likely to be made coach of the senior team for the Red Stripe Bowl. This is if Phil Simmons is unavailable. A source close to the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) said yesterday the Board is awaiting word from Phil Simmons as to his availability. “He is expected to give an indication very soon,” the source said. Simmons has been the coach of the team for the past few seasons but lives in England and leaves his coaching assignments there to come to Trinidad for the regional series. Last year he was unable to come across for the Red Stripe Bowl and former Test pacer Ian Bishop did the duties as coach. On that occasion the team was managed by former national cricketer Dudnath Ramkeesoon.

This year the team will be managed by Omar Khan who did the job at the Carib Beer Series and was a popular official with the players. “If Phil cannot come to coach the team for the series he will be replaced by the more than capable Roland Sampath. Currently Sampath is with the Under-19 team preparing for the TCL Group Under-19 series in Guyana and this will not clash with the senior team’s preparation for the Bowl,” said the source. Sampath, a national selector has been working with the TT players for some time and last year he conducted the national trials for the senior team in Calcutta when Simmons was away. Trinidad and Tobago have been under tremendous pressure from the cricket-loving public to bring home a regional title. The last time Trinidad and Tobago won the limited overs title was in 1997. Success in the First Class series last came in 1986 under the leadership of Rangy Nanan.