The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force has named an experienced squad for the first two rounds of the West Indies Cricket Board Professional Cricket League 4-Day tournament.
The 13-man squad bowls off their campaign on November 6 against the Leeward Islands at Warner Park, St. Kitts and then tackle Barbados at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown on November 14.
Non-contracted players Kavesh Kantasingh and Bryan Charles have forced their way into the team with impressive performances in the practice matches being contested here before the start of the tournament.
“It is good to have Kavesh back because he is a seasoned campaigner with experience. He is excellent in this format and has done well for the CCC and Trinidad and Tobago. Having him back is a big plus for us,” said Red Force captain Rayad Emrit after the team was announced.
He continued, “Young Bryan Charles had a debut earlier this year but did not play much first class games. I think he has really improved and it is really good for the team to have a player of his calibre.”
Pacer Marlon Richards and opening batsman Jeremy Solozano have been ruled out of the first two rounds of the tournament due to injury. Despite their absence the Red Force captain is confident the team will be successful.
“I think it is a good team the selectors came up with. It is a pity we are missing Marlon and Jeremy but I think the guys that are there are very much capable,” Emrit explained.
The right-arm medium pacer is wary of Barbados’ threat but has placed his confidence in the batsmen to put the Red Force in a strong position.
“We have a well balanced team for our first two games. It is going to be tough, especially against Barbados but I think with our batting now we will do well. Our batsmen really played mature knocks in the practice matches and if they put the runs on the board we are going to have a good chance against the Leeward Islands and Barbados,” said Emrit.
The Red Force captain revealed that he expects a great deal from overseas signings Narsingh Deonarine and Kyle Hope.
“Narsingh is the most senior batsman in the team and he has to lead from the front. Kyle on the other hand has shown why Trinidad and Tobago invested in him. Since he arrived for practice he has been professional in his approach and we expect him to do the same in the regional tournament,” said Emrit.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO RED FORCE – Rayad Emrit, Evin Lewis, Kjorn Ottley, Kyle Hope, Yannic Cariah, Narsingh Deonarine, Yannick Ottley, Imran Khan, Steven Katwaroo, Kavesh Kantasingh, Shannon Gabriel, Daniel St. Clair, Bryan Charles, Gus Logie (Coach), Roland Sampath (Manager).
