A good Friday afternoon crowd is expected today, when the T&T Red Force takes on the Combined Colleges and Campuses (CCC) in the second semi-finals of the 2015 Nagico Super50 Challenge at the Queen’s Park Oval.
Red Force, the beaten finalist in the inaugural tournament in 2014, would be looking to book another place in the championship match. However, they have the plucky CCC to contend with, and skipper Rayad Emrit is not underestimating them. “We have had run ins with the CCC before, so we know just how difficult it is to get over them. We are definitely not going to underestimate this CCC team, they have shown that they have the skill to defeat top teams and we have to be at the top of our game, to make sure we don’t pass in the rush. This is a semi-final and any semi-final is difficult. We need to two wins to lift the trophy and we know what we have to do to get that success.”
Red Force will be boosted by the return of Keiron Pollard and Ravi Rampaul, both of whom missed the last game. “Keiron and Ravi will be back for us and this is a big boost to the team. When you play in matches like these you need your experienced men and having them back in the team is going to make a big difference.”
T&T got a scare against the Leewards in their final preliminary match, as they were bowled out for 206 and at one point the Leewards were 65 for two before self destructing and losing the match.
“We have learnt from our mistakes in the tournament to date and we are taking things forward into this semi-finals. The boys have been really focussed, they want to do well for T&T and this is great to see.”
Meanwhile, the Red Force and the CCC held their final workout yesterday at the Queen’s Park Oval and they would be looking to execute well today. With rain about the place, the CCC will be praying that they do get in a match because there are no reserve days carded for the semis and finals. If rain prevents a result today, Red Force moves on by virtue of their better record in the prelims. Red Force defeated West Indies Under-19, Jamaica and Leewards to finish top of their group, while the CCC had a washout against Barbados, a win against Guyana and a loss against the Windwards.
Match time today is 1.30pm and gates at the Oval will be opened from 11am.
Teams
T&T Red Force:
Rayad Emrit (Captain), Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Kevon Cooper, Akeal Hosein, Stephen Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Jeremy Solozano and Nicholas Sookdeosingh.
CCC:
Chadwick Walton (Captain), Ryan Austin, Cassius Burton, Keron Cottoy, Kavem Hodge, Kyle Hope, Kyle Mayers, James McDonald, Paul Palmer, Christopher Powell, Rovman Powell, Kristopher Ramsaran, Shacaya Thomas and Kesrick Williams.
