U17 Series deemed a success

High praises are being sung on the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (T&TCB) for staging the inaugural Regional Under-17 Series. An initiative of the T&TCB, teams from the traditional six territorial boards are taking part in the week-long 50-over-per-side tournament, including host country T&T, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands and Windward Islands.

This tournament is the brain child of Forbes Persaud, CEO and General Secretary of the T&TCB, which has ploughed close to $500,000 to stage the series, which started last Thursday. Robert Adonis, coach of the Guyana U-17 team said that the West Indies Cricket Board must make this tournament a permanent fixture on its annual cricket calender.

Adonis who played in two first-class matches for Guyana and captured two wickets for 126 runs, said that full credit must be given to the T&TCB for staging this well organised tournament.
“This tournament bridges the gap between the Under 17 age group and the Under 19 for our regional players, and T&T is not only concerned about the development of their own players, but they are investing in players from throughout the region as well. This augers well for West Indies cricket.” Adonis said.

According to second vice-president of the T&TCB and newly appointed chairman of the Regional Matches Committee, Leo Doodnath, the local board have recognised that there is a vacuum regionally at the U-17 level, and they have decided to carry their developmental thrust from national to regional level. (NY)

Naz Yacoob
Trinidad Guardian

U17 Series deemed a success

High praises are being sung on the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (T&TCB) for staging the inaugural Regional Under-17 Series. An initiative of the T&TCB, teams from the traditional six territorial boards are taking part in the week-long 50-over-per-side tournament, including host country T&T, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands and Windward Islands.

This tournament is the brain child of Forbes Persaud, CEO and General Secretary of the T&TCB, which has ploughed close to $500,000 to stage the series, which started last Thursday. Robert Adonis, coach of the Guyana U-17 team said that the West Indies Cricket Board must make this tournament a permanent fixture on its annual cricket calender.

Adonis who played in two first-class matches for Guyana and captured two wickets for 126 runs, said that full credit must be given to the T&TCB for staging this well organised tournament.
“This tournament bridges the gap between the Under 17 age group and the Under 19 for our regional players, and T&T is not only concerned about the development of their own players, but they are investing in players from throughout the region as well. This augers well for West Indies cricket.” Adonis said.

According to second vice-president of the T&TCB and newly appointed chairman of the Regional Matches Committee, Leo Doodnath, the local board have recognised that there is a vacuum regionally at the U-17 level, and they have decided to carry their developmental thrust from national to regional level. (NY)

Naz Yacoob
Trinidad Guardian

T&T to meet Jamaica on opening day of domestic one-dayers

Reigning domestic one-day champions Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) and regional four-day title-holders Jamaica will clash in one of four matches on the first day of the WICB President's Cup one-day tournament in Guyana from October 28.

T&T, who currently hold both-50-over and Twenty20 titles, will face the Jamaicans in a Zone A fixture at the National Stadium in Providence.

At last year's tournament, T&T beat Barbados by seven wickets in the final to emerge new champions. Jamaica are enjoying a solid year in regional cricket and will be going for a fifth regional title in the 2009 campaign having won the four-day George Headley/Everton Weekes Trophy, the CLICO Under-15 title and the U-19 three-day and one-day titles at home in August. Other matches on the opening day are Windward Islands against Combined Campuses and Colleges at Everest in Zone A, Barbados against West Indies Under-19s at Bourda, and Guyana facing the Leeward Islands at Enmore in Zone B.

The other preliminary round dates are October 30 and 31 before the semi-finals on November 2 and November 3, with the final set for November 5.

The WICB confirmed that all preliminary round matches will start at 9.15 am (local time) while the semis and final are day-night fixtures listed for 1.30 pm starts at the National Stadium.

Cricinfo

T&T manager hails 'team of dreamers'

Trinidad & Tobago manager Colin Borde has termed as "a team of dreamers" the side that left for India to compete in the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 starting October 8. Despite the lack of star players and experience in subcontinent conditions Borde said the island team would push itself much harder to prove to the world that they are a quality side.

"The team itself shows a lot of discipline and it is not a difficult task to keep them straight as a pin and as players you guys look out for each other and that's an important part of teamwork and you can see that in how these guys play," he said. "I have known a lot of these guys from a very young age and I have seen them grow into professional cricketers and I know they are never satisfied with the success that they have and that is great. There is a hunger for success and they are always willing to learn."

T&T are pooled with England Twenty20 Cup runners-up Somerset and IPL champions Deccan Chargers, sides that boast a few international names. Borde, however, said that no particular team or individual had the players in awe. "This team has a lot of confidence... I have never seen them crack under pressure. We have a saying that it is just cricket, just bat and bowl. They have a lot of confidence in their ability and a lot of that confidence comes from hard work they have put in over the last few months, said the manager.

"This is a very disciplined team, they have put in the work... they sometimes complain but they always comply. They worked extremely hard at it and their dreams are big dreams. I don't think I have ever met a player on the Trinidad and Tobago team who did not believe that he could go on to be an international player. Their idols are world-class individuals and not only cricketers - sportsmen.

"These guys think big and I hope that the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board continues to encourage these guys to think big and dream big. This is a team of dreamers and most of their dreams are coming through because most of the requisite work is being done."

T&T will play two warm-up matches before playing their first tournament match against Somerset in Bangalore on October 12. They play Deccan on October 14 in Hyderabad.

T&T squad: Daren Ganga (capt), Dwayne Bravo, Lendl Simmons, William Perkins, Kieron Pollard, Sherwin Ganga, Navin Stewart, Samuel Badree, Darren Bravo, Ravi Rampaul, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Sunil Narine, Adrian Barath, Rayad Emrit, Dave Mohammed.

Cricinfo

Win would boost Caribbean - Ganga

Against the backdrop of the players dispute threatening to tear apart West Indies cricket, Trinidad & Tobago captain Daren Ganga said the team has a leading role to play in representing the entire region on the world stage and bringing smiles back to the Caribbean. Ganga stressed that the ongoing contracts row was not a distraction for the side that landed in India to compete in the Champions League Twenty20.

"It would be good for the entire Caribbean if we win this competition," he said in Bangalore. "Like we saw in the Stanford Super Series, when West Indies beat England, there is a lot to be gained. Hopefully we can have a positive effect on West Indian cricket.

"We're not just representing T&T, but the entire West Indian public and cricketing fraternity know that we're here representing them as well. This is virtually a West Indian team representing the entire region. As much as we want to do well for T&T, we have a bigger role in terms of representing the entire West Indies."

Several meetings between the West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Players' Association have failed to break the impasse, though now with the mediation of the Caribbean community (CARICOM), talks are due to restart. Ganga chose not to comment too much on "that fiasco", but echoed Dwayne Bravo's comments about the ongoing impasse.

"It [the contracts row] is something that has been playing on the minds of all West Indian cricketers, but a lot of people are getting involved, such as the CARICOM governments and stakeholders in West Indies cricket, trying to resolve the situation. We as players know that the issue is not going to help us as a nation and we are optimistic that soon a full-strength West Indies will be competing at the international level once more. Despite the fiasco I still think West Indies cricket is strong.

"It has been an ongoing issue but we are focusing on this tournament as we have for the last couple months. A lot of players are frustrated by what has been happening at the international level, but we in Trinidad & Tobago have been focusing really hard on this competition and hopefully you will see the rewards. "

Ganga gave credit to Allen Stanford, the Texan billionaire and cricket entrepreneur who sponsored the Stanford Twenty20 tournament in the Caribbean as well as the one-off fixture between England and Stanford Superstars. Stanford is facing charges of fraud totalling US$ 7 billion and the WICB has not been paid the US$3.5 million fee owed to it from the Stanford 20/20 for 20 tournament last November, but Ganga felt Caribbean cricket had gained from Stanford's investment.

"Apart from the monetary purses and the cash prizes for each player, what Allen Stanford did is he contributed financially to each territorial board and by extension each Caribbean nation," he said. "You had a lot of financial aid being given to structures, to facilities and to equipment. Our cricket is better enhanced with his input and we're reaping the rewards of his investment."

Ganga also said it was evident to all that there was talent coming through the ranks after the Stanford era, brief though it was. "A lot of players, just look at Kieron Pollard have come through after such Twenty20 tournaments, so there are a lot of positives coming out of it [the Stanford Series]. A lot of players can go on to play international cricket from regional cricket."

This is T&T's second opportunity playing outside the regional competitions, after they featured in the Stanford Super Series last year. They beat Middlesex and lost to England by 1 run, so from a team point of view, Ganga said, the standard of play must remain high. "We've got a nice blend of players who've played international cricket and those who've been knocking on the door, so we're ready for this tournament. We started our preparation in July and have been very thorough. You are going to see some very exciting cricket from Trinidad & Tobago."

Jamie Alter
Cricinfo

Asgarali heads TTCB North Zone again

The majority of the Executive of the North Zonal Cricket Council of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board was re-elected unopposed at the Zone’s 29th Annual General Meeting on Sunday at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Don Asgarali was re-elected as chairman of the zone while Patrick Rampersad was elected vice-chairman.

Stephen Martel retained the post of secretary and Mahabir Ragoonanan was re-elected treasurer. The three representatives to the Board are, Asgarali, Martel and Ragoonanan.

The 29th AGM was described as successful with the presentation of the chairman and secretary’s report and the audited financial statement for the year ending July 31, 2009.

T&T Newsday

Maraj recalled to national training

Former West Indies Under-19 opening batsman, Tishan Maraj has been recalled by the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) to commence preparation for the forthcoming West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President’s Cup tournament.

Training sessions will commence today at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva from 3.30pm. Maraj who has represented the West Indies Under-15 and Under-19 teams was unavailable for selection over the past season since he was qualifying to become a doctor at the University of the West Indies, Mt Hope Campus.

Also included in the training sessions are allrounders Richard Kelly and Imran Khan along with Ceramic Merry Boys opening batsman Mario Belcon and Clico Preysal spinner Magnum Nanan. The President’s Cup will be held in Guyana with the national team opening its title defence against Four Dar champions Jamaica on October 28 at Providence.

Training List: Gibran Mohammed, Shannon Gabriel, Atiba Allert, Magnum Nanan, Imran Khan, Amit Jaggernauth, Richard Kelly, Justin Guillen, Daron Cruickshank, Kevon Cooper, Nicholas Ramjass, Rishi Bachan, Dane Teelucksingh, Rishaad Harris, Deepak Kumar, Nicholas Sookdeosingh, Jason Mohammed, Tishan Maraj.

T&T Newsday

Emrit warns of heat, flat wickets in India

TRINIDAD and Tobago allrounder, Rayad Emrit has stressed the importance of the team keeping hydrated during the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 tournament in India.

Emrit represented the West Indies in two matches against India on their home soil in 2007 and is expecting humid conditions.

“The team will meet two major obstacles when we get to India. Firstly we will have to battle the time difference but also the heat.

It is key that players re-hydrate so we could prevents things like cramp which would hinder us from performing at our best,” said Emrit.

Coupled with the testing conditions Emrit explained that the wickets in India favours batsmen thereby needing the Trinidad and Tobago bowling attack to be at its best at all times.

“When I went to India with the West Indies team I played two matches and the wickets were batsman friendly. I was not adequately prepared for those conditions .

Now I am more experienced and am better prepared. It is going to be tough but we have enough ammo in our team to accomplish the dream of winning this tournament,” said Emrit.

The Alescon Comets player revealed that West Indies allrounder Dwayne Bravo and Denesh Ramdin is playing an important role in educating the players about the conditions in India.

“Dwayne has played in the Indian Premier League and Denesh has played One-Day International and Test cricket I believe there. They are both useful allrounders and a loss depends on how they perform,” said Emrit.

T&T Newsday

T&T cricketers off to Champions League

THE Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) hosted a farewell function for the national team on Friday night at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Port-of-Spain.

Attending the function were President of Trinidad and Tobago, Professor George Maxwell Richards and wife Dr Jean Ramjohn Richards; president of the TTCB, Deryck Murray; Chief Executive Officer, Forbes Persaud; second vice-president Leo Doodnath; Executive Director of the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Sportt), Darion William; Australian High Commissioner, Phillip Kentwell; members of the British diplomatic corp and the national team.

The team which was scheduled to leave for India yesterday evening to compete in the Champions League Twenty20 tournament was greeted by President Richards.

Giving the opening address, second vice-president Doodnath stated that the national team has created history by becoming the first national team to compete at the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 tournament. He also expressed confidence about their chances.

“The maximum number of games any team can play is six and we will be playing all six,” said Doodnath. He paid tribute to captain Daren Ganga and his team while wishing them the best of luck at the tournament.

Executive Director of Sportt, Williams acknowledged the pride and joy the national team has brought to the country through their success at the regional level and at the Stanford Super Series.

He explained that the Ministry of Sport is hoping that the success of the team in India will inspire a new generation to achieve.

“I know that you guys will not be around playing cricket forever and we hope that your success can spur on a new generation of cricketers. We hope that your mentorship is passed on and that you represent Trinidad and Tobago with pride and glory,” said Williams.

Manager of the national team, Colin Borde explained that the team was ready for the tournament after months of preparation.

“This a disciplined group of players and they govern themselves. It shows what a fantastic job my predecessor Omar Khan did with the team and transforming them into a well oiled unit,” said Borde.

Kern Ramlochan
T&T Newsday

Ramjit stars in Triumph windball

A FINE allround performance by Ronnie Ramjit enabled Modern Electrical to complete a 10-run victory over Cousins in the Triumph Andy’s Wheel Windball tournament at Garden Village in Arouca.

Ramjit played with composure leading the innings with a knock of 31 runs. He ensured with the assistance of Davindra Joseph (20) that Modern Electrical closed on a strong total of 88 for three.

Ramjit continued his strong performance in the match with the ball. He took two for 13 as Cousins threatened to mount a successful run chase. However, their batsmen were unable to apply themselves at the crease and were eventually dismissed for 78 with Kenneth Baptiste top scoring with 13 runs.

Summarised Scores:

MODERN ELECTRICAL 88/3 - Ronnie Ramjit 31, Davindra Joseph 20 vs COUSINS 78 - Kenneth Baptiste 13, Ronnie Ramjit 2/13

FREE STYLE 66/3 - Jonathan Narine 30, Juan Carlos Narine 23, Shane De Silva 1/14 vs OLD BOYZ CREW B 63/6 - Daniel Balkaran 15, Amin Hosein 12, Juan Carlos Narine 3/6

BANDELEROS 57/6 - Prakash Singh 21, Riaz Mohammed 9, David John 2/4 vs OLD BOYZ CREW A 45 - Sheahan De Silva 14, Kevin Baptiste 8, Prakash Singh 2/8

D’RIVER LIME 66/5 - Georgie Podan 34, Danielle Ramsawak 2/11 vs HUNTERS 50/6 - Ricky Mohammed 10, Danielle Ramsawak 10, Georgie Podan 2/6

BRIGADIER 55/6 - Mitra Ramkissoon 13, Darren Maharaj 7, Ramesh Singh 2/6 vs OLD ROAD UNITED 39 - Kevin Mohammed 5, Rohan Rampersad 2/2

FEARLESS ONE 42/2 - Everald Smith 11, Junior Griffith 11 vs GREEN GOLD 41/6 - Mark Sankar 12, Everald Smith 2/4

BON AIR BOYS 26/2 - Tyrell Petti 15 vs TROUBLE MAKERS 25/4 - Don Carlos Mohammed 12, Tyrell Petti 1/2

AWESOME 48 - Shyam Ramjitsingh 14, Amit Arjoon 10, Shivanan Harrypersad 3/8 vs BANDELEROS 33/6 - Shivanan Harrypersad 8, Shyam Ramjitsingh 2/7

OLD BOYZ CREW B 100/4 - Aaron Rampersad 29, Daniel Balkaran 20, Ricky Ramlal 18, Rocky Ramsook 2/6 vs SMOKE DEM 20/4 - Rocky Ramsook 10, David Balkaran 4/6

COUSINS 63/6 - Ricky Benjamin 27, Regan Hernandez 2/13 vs BON AIR BOYS 50 - Kevin Ali 24, Shastri Daniel 2/4

GREEN GOLD 58/5 - Jose Patilla 24, Ravi Maharaj 2/7 vs SMOKEYZ 39 - Ravi Maharaj 8, Junior Joseph 3/6

007 def RIVER LIME SMASHERS (Default)

AWESOME def BALL UNITED (Default)

GREEN GOLD def 300 SPARTAN (Default)

FEARLESS ONE def SURREY STOP FORCE (Default)

AWESOME def RIVER LIME SMASHERS (Default)

TAKE & PAST def RIVER LIME SMASHERS (Default)

FEARLESS ONE def 300 SPARTAN (Default)

COUSINS def HEAVY UNITED (Default)

T&T Newsday

Coach Williams says T&T must adapt to win

COACH of the Trinidad and Tobago cricket team, Kelvin Williams believes that the key for Trinidad and Tobago being successful at the Champions League Twenty20 tournament is their ability to adapt to the conditions in India.

“It is very important for us to adapt and it will be a major part of our strategy. We have four practice matches before the first game and we need to make full use of these matches and understanding the conditions is a vital part for us,” said Williams yesterday.

The Trinidad and Tobago coach noted that all-rounder Dwayne Bravo will be a key factor in ensuring that the players adapt to conditions in India.

“Dwayne has played in the Indian Premier League and he is very experienced. He is also the vice-captain of the team and has an important role to play. His experience and knowledge will be critical for us,” said Williams.

He added that the experienced players in the team will have to guide the younger players and is confident that a cohesive unit will bring success.

Left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed will be an integral part of Trinidad and Tobago’s chances of winning the lucrative Twenty20 tournament especially on the spinner friendly Indian wickets.

“Dave and Samuel (Badree) who opens the bowling for us have important roles to play. Dave excelled at the Stanford tournaments and he brings an exuberance to the team. He is a character and is the clown of the team and the antics and excitement he brings will bring a lift to the squad,” said Williams.

Trinidad and Tobago have included Adrian Barath and Sunil Narine who both have limited Twenty20 experience at the regional and international level.

Barath possess an outstanding limited overs and four-day record while Narine has played one First Class match for the national team. However, Williams is confident in the younger players in the team and believe that they will prove themselves.

Kern Ramlochan
T&T Newsday

Rampaul, Narine star in trial match

Rampaul bowled with pace and accuracy taking three for 14 and significantly hampered the Jaggernauth XI run chase. Queen’s Park spinner Narine who was a surprise inclusion in the national team for the Champions League Twenty20 tournament in India took two for 10 as the Jaggernauth XI were restricted to 146 for six from their 20 overs.

Pacer Navin Stewart attempted to hit the Jaggernauth XI back into the match with an unbeaten knock of 46 but his attempt proved futile. Attacking batsman Justin Guillen make 28 runs.

Earlier, skipper Ganga paced his team to a challenging total of 166 for six from 20 overs. He topscored with 38 runs with hard hitting Kieron Pollard having an entertaining knock of 38 runs.

West Indies allrounder Dwyane Bravo who much is expected in India scored 31 runs. W Connection Wanderers pacer Stewart felt the brunt of the Ganga XI batsmen finishing with two for 43. Pacer Shannon Gabriel had a miserly spell of three overs for eight runs.

Summarised Scores:

GANGA XI 166/6 (20) - Daren Ganga 38, Dwayne Bravo 31, Kieron Pollard 37, Navin Stewart 2/43 vs JAGGERNAUTH XI 146/6 (20) - Navin Stewart 46 not out, Justin Guillen 28, Ravi Rampaul 3/14, Sunil Narine 2/10.

T&T Newsday

Ganga says T&T has talent to claim Champions League

MEMBERS of the Trinidad and Tobago cricket team received a warm send-off at the La Boucan Room of the Hilton Trinidad yesterday, before they wing out for India to compete in the ICC Champions league Twenty20 Championship.

The Telecommunications Service of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) has outfitted the players with phones to keep in contact with friends and family back home during the duration of the tournament.

TSTT’s Media Relation’s Manager Graeme Suite said his company views the championship as being equivalent to a cricket World Cup and therefore the players, management staff and the coaches were all given mobiles.

Trinidad and Tobago are grouped with English champions Somerset and the current holders of the IPL Trophy — the Deccan Chargers. The TT team which will be led by Daren Ganga will open their campaign against Somerset, October 12 and will take on the Deccan Chargers two days later (October 14) as they attempt to finish among the top two teams in order to advance to the next round.

Yesterday Ganga thanked TSTT for its assistance and later said he was optimistic of winning the championship, saying that the team will go out to do just that.

Ganga said that following a three-month preparation period the team was ready for the competition, despite the challenge of playing away from home. The text-book style batsman added further that he is extremely confident his players had the talent to pull off an historic victory.

Yesterday the players had their final trial match at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Balmain, Couva.

The team will leave on Sunday for the October 8-23 championship and national coach Kelvin Williams said that he is satisfied with the progress made by the team to date. “In the earlies I felt that we were lacking motivation in the team but the players have shown tremendous improvement so far,” said Williams.

Williams is hoping to make a bold statement on the international stage so that TT cricket will be exposed worldwide.

“Yes we are aiming to make a statement but we will also use the championship as a yardstick to measure where they are against some of the top teams in the world,” Williams said.

The coach also relished the opportunity to expose the young players on the international stage which he feels will auger well for TT cricket.

He singled out brothers Dwayne and Darren Bravo, hard-hitting Keiron Pollard, Lendl Simmons and fast bowler Ravi Rampaul who are expected to play lead roles in the team, if it is to do well.

Walter Alibey
T&T Newsday

Leo John cricket at quarter-final stage

ACTION in the $6,000 Leo John Islandwide Over-40 Cricket League has reached the quarter-final stage.

And Group “A” winners D&D McBean will take on Preysal Sports tomorrow at McBean, Couva, while the Group “B” winners Calcutta Masters meet LTT at Friendshoip Hall.

BrandSource Woodland, runners-up in Group “A” take on Perseverance CC at Burccarr, Freeport and Group B runners-up “D” Rebels face Fulham CC at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.

Semi-finals are scheduled to take place on October 10 with the final fixed for October 18 at venues to be decided.

T&T Newsday

T&T will do well in Champions League says coach

TRINIDAD and Tobago cricketers will continue their preparation for the Champions League Twenty20 tournament with a practice match today at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva starting at 1pm.

The Daren Ganga XI will take on the Amit Jaggernauth XI as final adjustments are made before the national team leaves on Sunday for India. Coach of the national team, Kelvin Williams is confident that the squad will have a good tournament. “Our team has a good chance as any other in the tournament. We have players who have played at the international level and others who have not. However, the balance in the team is excellent and everyone fits their role. When you look at the bench we have players who can come in and make an impact. I think this gives us a good recipe for success,” said Williams yesterday.

Trinidad and Tobago are pooled in Group “A” with Indian Premier League champions, Deccan Chargers and English Twenty20 winners Somerset County. However, Williams is not concerned about the difficulty of the group and is focused on the team performing as a unit.

“I am looking for each player to deliver at the tournament. I don’t want them thinking about individual goals but more team goals. This bunch is a group of team players and they will move with the game plan and are ready to execute,” said Williams.

The former Trinidad and Tobago batsman noted that the players were extremely well-prepared and the squad is moving full steam ahead in its preparations and are eager for competition time.

“It is important for us to do well in India because we are also representing the West Indies at the highest level for Twenty20 cricket. Some guys have played at the ICC Twenty20 World Cup and others not on that level. But I expect us to do well, we have very talented players in the team and the national team likes to perform on the big stage so I am sure we can raise our standards,” said Williams.

The Trinidad and Tobago coach admitted that he was concerned about the preparation of the team but the performance in Guyana has ended any insecurities. Williams explained that the immediate emphasis is being put on adapting to conditions in India.

“Few of the guys have played in India. I have not been there before so we will be relying on these individuals to explain and help the others adjust and prepare to the conditions they will meet. Also we are going to focus on team strategy and how we play such as what is expected at certain stages of the match,” said Williams.

Trinidad and Tobago have excelled at Twenty20 cricket winning the Stanford 20/20 tournament and Stanford Champion of Champions match against 2008 English champions Middlesex County. Williams believes that the squad selected for the Champions League Twenty20 tournament is a much stronger team than the previous title winning teams.

“The team that competed in the Stanford Champion of Champions match has six debutantes and they brought a level of energy to the team but this squad is much more experienced” said Williams.

GANGA XI - Daren Ganga (Captain), William Perkins, Sherwin Ganga, Samuel Badree, Dave Mohammed, Dwayne Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard, Darren Bravo, Ravi Rampaul, Denesh Ramdin, Sunil Narine.

JAGGERNAUTH XI — Amit Jaggernauth (Captain), Daron Cruickshank, Kevon Cooper, Imran Khan, Jason Mohammed, Gibran Mohammed, Shannon Gabriel, Richard Kelly, Justin Guillen, Adrian Barath, Yannick Ottley, Rayad Emrit, Navin Stewart.

T&T Newsday

T&T cricketers secure sponsor on their own

TRINIDAD and Tobago cricketers have taken a bold proactive initiative in securing a major sponsor for the team which is set to compete at the Champions League Twenty20 tournament in India.

The veteran players on the national team were able to land a lucrative deal with Venky’s (India) Limited which is part of the VH Group.

Venky’s will be the main sponsor of the team and their image is expected to be placed on the national team’s jersey. The sponsorship will only be for the Champions League Twenty20 tournament and is reported to be in the region of US$100,000.

It is reported that Venky’s, TTCB and the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) are finalising the details of the contract which will greatly enhance the chances of the team playing successfully in the lucrative competition.

Trinidad and Tobago are scheduled to depart on Sunday for India and there was growing uncertainty about the inability of the TTCB to secure a major sponsor ahead of the lucrative Twenty20 tournament.

However, the influence and marketing ability of players such as captain Daren Ganga, Denesh Ramdin, Dwayne Bravo, Lendl Simmons and Ravi Rampaul enabled the team to attract the India sponsor.

Venky’s (India) Limited was established in 1976 mainly to produce day-old layer and broiler chicks for poultry markets of North India. The company has diversified over the years and their portfolio also includes animal health products, pellet feeds, processed and further processed chicken products, solvent oil extraction and Specific Pathogen-Free Eggs.

Venky’s (India) Limited has also expanded away from poultry and is also involved with manufacturing facilities for nutritional health products for humans, pet food and health care products. Forbes Business magazine ranked Venky’s (India) Limited at 67th among the 100 best global small companies between 1999-2000.

Trinidad and Tobago are in Group “A” along with Indian Premier League Champions Deccan Chargers and English Twenty20 champions Somerset County.

The national team will bowl off their campaign against Somerset County on October 12 in Bangalore followed by Deccan Chargers on October 14 in Hyderabad. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knock-out stages of the tournament.

Should Trinidad and Tobago emerge outstanding in the Champions League Twenty20 Championship, Venky’s will become internationally known.

Kern Ramlochan
T&T Newsday

TTCB urging fans to travel to India

Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) is urging the public to support the national team when they compete at the Champions League Twenty20 tournament which bowls off on October 8 in India.

Fans are being asked to make the journey to India on package tours organised by the TTCB.

The organised tour package departs on October 9 on a Caribbean Airlines flight to New York. This will be followed by Air India flights to Delhi then to Bagalore and Hyderbad before returning to Delhi.

The package includes hotel accommodation inclusive of breakfast, match tickets and an optional tour operator.

Total cost given by the TTCB in its press release yesterday is $34,000 which cites the cost out of Trinidad and Tobago being $18,000 and of New York at $16,000.

Financing will be made available to all interested persons. Further information can be obtained by calling Allyson Ali at 637-1577 or 636-4745.

Trinidad and Tobago have been pooled in Group A with Indian Premier League champions Deccan Chargers and English Twenty20 champions Somerset County. The national team will open its campaign against Somerset County on October 12 in Bangalore before taking on Deccan Chargers two days later in Hyderabad.

Top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage of the tournament.

T&T Newsday

Local cricketers of the year 2009

Tile Depot Central Sports captain, Gary Mathurin was named ‘Cricketer of the Year’ at the Eastern Credit Union prize giving and awards ceremony held on Sunday night at the Eric Williams Auditorium, La Joya Complex in St Joseph.

Mathurin played a pivotal role in Tile Depot Central Sports first season in the Eastern Credit Union Premier Division scoring 436 runs with a healthy average of 48.15 and top score of 133 runs. He also made significant contributions with the ball taking 29 wickets at a miserly average of 17.56 as Tile Depot Central Sports finished fourth in the league standings.

Attending the awards ceremony were president of Eastern Credit Union, Ronald Bobb, Chief Executive Officer, Derek Guera, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, Deryck Murray, Chief Executive Officer, Forbes Persaud, treasurer, Richard Williams, feature speaker, Justice Prakash Moosai and the national cricket team and top club manager and cricket administrator Patrick Rampersad.

Mathurin won the top award ahead of PowerGen opening batsman, Nicholas Sookdeosingh, teammate Mahendra Nagamootoo who finished with the most wickets in the league and First Citizens Clarke Road duo of Sean Siloch and Mukesh Persad.

First Citizens Clarke Road batsman, Denesh Ramdhary was named the reserve team ‘Cricketer of the Year’. He scored 248 runs, the most in the reserve league for the 2009 season.

President of Eastern Credit Union, Ronald Bobb congratulated all teams that competed in the National League and the players who excelled throughout the season. He also paid special tribute to the national team ahead of its important series at the lucrative Champions League Twenty20 tournament in India next month.

Justice Prakash Moosai in his feature address urged the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to bring a speedy end to the dispute with the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) since regional cricket is suffering as a result.

“The two main problems I have gathered surrounds the intellectual property of the West Indies players and the 2009 India tour of the West Indies and whether this tour was in our outside the Future Tours Programme” said Moosai.

He added that the decision of the WICB to select a team for the Champions Trophy currently being played in South Africa without the best players in the region has added to the problem.

Moosai noted that the current situation of cricket is problematic and the WICB must battle against ‘freelance cricketers’.

“The WICB must take a cautionary stance and must be careful especially with the emergence of Twenty20 cricket and the Indian Premier League. Players do not follow in the footsteps of the older generation and we must protects against ‘freelance cricketers’ which has happened with Andrew Flintoff” said Moosai.

The former national cricketer explained that it is only natural for a player to gravitate to the best conditions and the WICB must find a solution quciklly before they are faced with the ‘Flintoff dilemma’.

Awards:

Player of the Round

Lincoln Roberts 105 - Ceramic Merry Boys vs Munroe Road

Mahendra Nagamootoo 9/54 & 7/32 - Tile Depot Central Sports vs Moosai Sports

Nicholas Sookdeosingh 115 - PowerGen vs Clico Preysal

Mahendra Nagamootoo 5/95 & 7/32 - Tile Depot Central Sports vs Queen’s Park

Shamar Brooks 175 - W Connection Wanderers vs Clico Preysal

Jason Mohammed 144 - PowerGen vs Moosai Sports

Sean Siloch 155 - First Citizens Clarke Road vs Alescon Comets

Imran Khan 6/54 & 5/71 - Alescon Comets vs W Connection Wanderers

Alcindo Holder 117 - Ceramic Merry Boys vs W Connection Wanderers


Premier League Reserve XI

Most Wickets - Zard Clarke 26 (W Connection Wanderers)

Most Runs - Denesh Ramdharry 248 (First Citizens Clarke Road)


Centuries Scored

Keshava Ramphal 105 - Clico Preysal vs Tile Depot Central Sports

Raul Aimey 102 not out - PowerGen vs Munroe Road

Vaaroon Samaroo 150 not out - PowerGen vs Munroe Road

Issac Nicholas 139 - Clico Preysal vs First Citizens Clarke Road

Khemraj Mehawlal 127 - PowerGen vs Clico Preysal

Kareem Jumadeen 108 - W Connection Wanderers vs Moosai Sports

Narine Bidhesi 102 not out - W Connection Wanderers vs Clico Preysal

Akeil Cooper 122 not out - PowerGen vs Moosai Sports

Farrell Jugmohan 100 not out - PoweGen vs W Connection Wanderers

Mark Deyal 106 - W Connection Wanderers vs PowerGen

Videsh Maraj 160 not out - Clico Preysal vs Queen’s Park

Kwasi Alfred - Queen’s Park vs Clico Preysal


Cricketers of the Year

Varoon Samaroo (PowerGen)

Farrell Jugmohan (PowerGen)

Denesh Ramdhary (First Citizens Clarke Road)

Zard Clarke (W Connection Wanderers)

Kareem Jumadeen (W Connection Wanderers)


Cricketer of the Year

Denesh Ramdhary (First Citizens Clarke Road)


Premier Division

Most Wickets - Mahendra Nagamootoo 50 (Tile Depot Central Sports)

Most Runs - Nicholas Sookdeosingh 549 (PowerGen)


Ten wickets and more

Mahendra Nagamootoo 16/79 - Tile Depot Central Sports vs Moosai Sports

Amit Jaggernauth 10/51 - Queen’s Park vs Clico Preysal

Imran Khan 11/125 - Alescon Comets vs W Connection Wanderers


Centuries Scored

Nicholas Sookdeosingh 121 not out - PowerGen vs Munroe Road

Rondell Ramlochan 122 - PowerGen vs Munroe Road

Nicholas Sookdeosingh 105 - PowerGen vs Clico Preysal

Gary Mathurin 113 - Tile Depot Central Sports vs Moosai Sports

Deon Bennette 100 not out - Tile Depot Central Sports vs W Connection Wanderers

Dwayne Bravo 101 - Queen’s Park vs W Connection Wanderers

Gregory mahabir 109 - First Citizens Clarke Road vs Moosai Sports

Shamar Brooks 175 - W Connection Wanderers vs Clico Preysal

Yannick Ottley 103 not out - Clico Preysal vs W Connection Wanderers

Sherwin Ganga 112 - PowerGen vs Ceramic Merry Boys

Jason Mohammed 144 - PowerGen vs Moosai Sports

Sean Siloch 155 - First Citizens Clarke Road vs Alescon Comets

Mahadeo Moonesar 126 - First Citizens Clarke Road vs Alescon Comets

Marlon Barclay 103 - Queen’s Park vs Clico Preysal

Lincoln Roberts 105 - Ceramic Merry Boys vs Munroe Road

Aaron Alfred 115 - Clico Preysal vs Ceramic Merry Boys

Darren Bravo 132 - Queen’s Park vs Moosai Sports

Homchan Pooran 120 - First Citizens Clarke Road vs Tile Depot Central Sports

Suruj Ragoonath 100 not out - Alescon Comets vs Moosai Sports

Alcindo Holder 117 - Ceramic Merry Boys vs W Connection Wanderers


Cricketers of the Year

Nicholas Sookdeosingh (PowerGen)

Mahendra Nagamootoo (Tile Depot Central Sports)

Sean Siloch (First Citizens Clarke Road)

Gary Mathurin (Tile Depot Central Sports)

Mukesh Persad (First Citizens Clarke Road)


Cricketer of the Year

Gary Mathurin (Tile Depot central Sports)


North and South Championship

Cricketers of the Year Reserve Team

Stephen Wharwood (Curepe Sports)

Alvin Ramlogan (Evergreen Sports)

Joseph Mitchel (Evergreen Sports)

Neil Ramsawak (Curepe Sports)

Reynold Rampersad (Evergreen Sports)


Cricketer of the Year Reserve Team

Alvin Ramlogan (Eevergreen Sports)


Cricketers of the Year

Krishna Arjune (Bamoo Sports)

David Sultan (Evergreen Sports)

Ernil Ryan (Defence Force)

Mark Montfort (Spoilers)

Deepak Kumar (Aranguez Sports)


Cricketers of the Year

Mark Montfort ( Spoilers)

T&T Newsday

Badree stars for PowerGen on New York cricket tour

TRINIDAD and Tobago allrounder Samuel Badree was the star of the show for PowerGen Cricket Club on their recent tour of New York, USA.

PowerGen Cricket Club the national Premier League champions visited New York recently to play three matches and was successful in winning all three.

In the first match, the right-handed Badree struck a masterful 123 in taking his team’s score to 344/9 off 35 overs against Nassau League. Also among the runs was Varoun Samaroo with 77 and Gibran Mohammed 38. Nassau League in reply was restricted to 153 all out with Badree taking 2/23.

PowerGen also won their other two matches against Cosmos Cricket Club and Trini Boys.

Scores:

At Floyd Bennet Field: PowerGen 344/9 (35)(Samuel Badree 123, Varoun Samaroo 77, Gibran Mohammed 38) vs Nassau League 153 all out (Samuel Badree 2/23) — PowerGen won by 191 runs.

At Floyd Bennet Field: PowerGen 144 all out (Gibran Mohammed 70, Samuel Badree 20) vs Cosmos CC 139 all out (Ahmed Proverbs 23, Varoun Samaroo 3/15) — PowerGen won by 5 runs.

At Daisley Park: PowerGen 181 all out (Samuel Badree 61, Varoun Samaroo 28, Ryan Hurley 23) vs Trini Boys 156 — PowerGen won by 25 runs.

T&T Newsday

TCL concrete pitch for Biche cricketers

TCL GROUP in conjunction with member company Readymix Limited will present the community of Biche with their completed concrete pitch as part of the “Concrete Cricket Pitches Promotion”.

The official handing over will take place at the Biche Recreation Ground on Tuesday at 2 pm.

There were over 145 entries from various communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago with 14 locations selected randomly.

Biche will be the first community to receive its concrete pitch after submitting the necessary documents and gaining approvals.

The “Concrete Pitches Promotion” took place in 2008 and is an initiative to develop cricket in the communities while promoting the sport to future generations.

Also it is aimed at encouraging youths to occupy themselves in a constructive way as well as to promote cricket to the social fabric of the Caribbean.

T&T Newsday

Avinash Windball bowls off

THE second annual Avinash Narine Windball Competition bowls off on Saturday at Farm Road, St Joseph.

Top windball teams throughout Trinidad and Tobago are expected to compete at the tournament. The winners of the tournament will receive $7,000 with the runners-up collecting $3,000. Third place will receive $2,000 and the fourth place team $1,000.

T&T Newsday

Red Bull Quick Hit cricket bowls off with high scores

Red Bull Quick Hit bowled off in fine style under perfect conditions with the first qualifying event being held on Sunday at the Police Barracks in St James.

A total of 15 registered teams/pairs participated in this first round of the competition which despite being limited to the two-over rule proved to be a high scoring affair as the name would suggest.

In the end four teams were selected to move on to the finals of the Red Bull Quick Hit tournament which will be held on Sunday October 18 in Chaguanas.

The pair of Fariz Mohammed and Rischand Khan set the table early on for an exciting competition by posting 42 without loss from their allotted overs against J Dabreo and H Robert.

Mohammed continued to steer his team into the finals by posting the highest individual score of the day – 40 not out.

Not to be outdone, the pair of Deegan Barkley and Emmanuel James, were able to defend their modest total of 18 runs by bowling out their competitors for seven runs.

In the end, the pairs of Jesse Roland and Ronaldo Sammy, Rischand Khan and Fariz Mohammed, Kevon Rhamdhanie and Devin Wallace, Degan Barkley and Emmanuel James advanced to the finals.

Trinidad and Tobago and West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo was on hand to lend his support to the event and commented on the high level of skill on display.

“It’s nice to see it got off to a good start. First of all we got good weather, that’s a plus and it’s nice to see people come out and be a part of it and the tournament looks exciting so far. I am sorry I couldn’t be a part of it. Sitting on the sideline I wish I could have been out there with a partner.” said Bravo.

Red Bull Quick Hit features two teams, two players and two overs with speed and accuracy being the focus of the game. The winning pair will receive a Red Bull Quick Hit trophy, a cash prize and two tickets to the finals of the ICC World Twenty/20 Championships held in Barbados in 2010.

The next qualifier will be held on Sunday at Skinner Park, San Fernando from 11 am. All teams/pairs interested in participating can register at the venue on the day, with registration closing at 1 pm.

For more information and pre registration call 620-9666, 771-5885 or 674-9191 (ext 541-544)

T&T Newsday

Cricket Board deny vote incentives

THE TRINDAD and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) yesterday strenuosly denied reports that they have offered clubs hefty financial incentives ahead of the National League elections today.

In a hastily organised press conference at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, TTCB officials responded to a newspaper report that club officials have been approached to vote for the incumbent executive headed by Deryck Murray.

Attending the press conference were Murray, Chief Executive Officer Forbes Persaud, treasurer Richard Williams, manager of the national team Colin Borde and executive members Leo Doodnath, Richard Ramkissoon and William Wallace.

Murray in answering his critics in the Movement for Change, main rivals in the October 31 elections, said the financial transactions of the TTCB were “accountable and transparent” with international accounting firm Pannell Kerr Forster providing accounting and advisory services.

“We are satisfied that our finances are compliant with accounting practices. There is a yearly audit and the figures will show that there is no inaccuracies in our spending,” said Murray.

The TTCB also refuted claims that the south zone election was unconstitutional and revealed that they would be going ahead with the Zonal elections.

Chairman of the South Zone Doodnath, who togeher with Persaud presided over the contentious elections, said he was confident that the results were legitimate despite the threat of legal action by the Movement For Change.

The Movement for Change, front-runners to take control of the TTCB staged a walkout at the south zone elections claiming that 10 clubs who were ineligible to vote were allowed to cast their ballot.

“There has been no action taken by the opposition thus far. As far as I am aware nothing has transpired and we are sitting safely on legal grounds. We are going ahead with the elections and they will be held on Wednesday” said Doodnath yesterday.

The TTCB stated that the finances of the TTCB was spend on its cricketers and various clubs and Zones and would be continuing their mandate.

“The TTCB yearly spends money on clubs for covers and there are payments given to all the Zones and affiliates. It is something that we have done and we will continue to do,” said CEO Persaud.

Treasurer Richard Williams gave his support to the financial credibility of the two audits the TTCB has done thus far.

“Everything seems clear and they do look good. We have initiated a computerised accounting system which at times has work against us. However, the system will improve next year. There are some queries at times but I will raise a red flag and try and get the proper documentation to sort the issue,” said Williams.

The current administration of the TTCB is seeking re-election with the Annual General Meeting being held on October 31. Movement For Change lead by Azim Bassarath has emerged as the main opposition for the Murray administration. Thus far the Movement for Change has gained steady support and have already won the north, north east, central and south west zones at the club representative elections.

T&T Newsday

TTCB accused of bribing clubs for votes

THE current administration of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has been accused of bribery.

Several national league clubs have made allegations that top ranking members of the TTCB have offered money to secure their vote in the national league elections tomorrow.

It has been alleged that clubs were being offered $60,000 with individual payments being $10,000.

These latest allegations add further controversy to the TTCB elections. Last week top clubs from the South Zone staged a walk out after 10 new clubs that were ineligible to vote were allowed to. This has resulted in the Movement for Change seeking legal action citing breaches in the TTCB constitution.

The Movement for Change has taken the TTCB elections by storm winning the North East, Central, South East and North Zones in the Club Representative elections while not contesting in the South West and East Zones.

As a result the “Friends of Cricket” slate has come under immense pressure to gain a result at the National League elections after it was reported that 19 clubs were in support of Movement for Change.

The Movement for Change has sough legal advice to address the scandal surrounding the South Zone elections. However, the recent allegations made by clubs who are about to vote in the National League elections about bribery may result in further investigations and legal action.

The TTCB has come under increase pressure regionally after boycotting the Annual General Meeting of the West Indies Cricket Board in Antigua and Barbuda recently.

Such actions almost eliminated the TTCB from submitting its directors on the WICB which would have left Trinidad and Tobago without representation.

The Movement for Change which is led by Azim Bassarath and also includes top regional cricket administrators has gained a high percentage of support after continuos problems under the present administration.

T&T Newsday

Ganga for Champions 20/20

Daren Ganga will be leading the national cricket team to the Champions League in India after Energy Minister Conrad Enill intervened on his behalf in the dispute with his employers Petrotrin over the allowance of time-off to represent the country.

Ganga had allegedly already utilised 37 working days in 2009 while on national duty, well above the one month per annum allowed by the state-owned company.

Despite being lenient with Ganga in the past, FIFA vice president Jack Warner blasted Petrotrin for restricting one of TT’s leading athletes from representing his country.

Since learning of the dispute, Warner has been campaigning for the former West Indies batsman, taking his argument to the media and the government.

A disappointed Ganga, wrote to the TT Cricket Board (TTCB), West Indies Players association (WIPA) and West Indies Cricket Board seeking support and redress but it was the intervention of Warner that counted.

Warner called Enill allegedly after an unsuccessful attempt to meet Minister of Sport Gary Hunt and he was assured that Ganga would be given the required time-off to compete.

Warner described the attempt by Petrotrin to hinder Ganga from competing in the inaugural competition as unpatriotic and praised Enill for resolving the situation.

Ganga will leave with the national team on Friday for Guyana to play two practice matches before leaving for India on October 4 to contest for US$2.5 million.

Warner has been calling for a sport policy for persons on national duty for quite some time and pointed out that Ganga’s feud with his employers could have been avoided if one was in place.

T&T Newsday

T&T cricketers for Guyana warmup

Trinidad and Tobago will leave for Guyana next Friday to play two warm-up matches, as they step up their preparation for next month’s Twenty20 Champions League in India.

TT will play a Guyana XI in two T20 matches at the National Stadium at Providence on Friday and Saturday night respectively.

National team manager Colin Borde said the trip would be an excellent opportunity for the unit to gel together, as well as have some vital match practice.

“The weather has not been good in Trinidad and we are lucky to get this opportunity to go across to Guyana and play some cricket,” Borde said.

“Strategically it is good for us because Guyana is just one hour away and we are getting the opportunity to play under lights at the Providence Stadium.” TT return home on Sunday and will spend another week topping off their preparation before heading to the tournament which starts October 4.

They are scheduled to face India Premier League champions Deccan Chargers and Somerset of England in the preliminary round.

(CMC)

Bassarath confident of cricket change

LEADER of the Movement of Change, Azim Bassarath is confident that his organisation will build on the success of the Zonal Club Representative Elections and will sweep the National League elections on Tuesday.

The Movement of Change which was launched last week and compromises several of the region’s top cricket administrators and legal minds have taken the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board elections by storm.

Thus far the Movement of Change has won the North East, North, Central and South East Zones at the Club Representative elections. The Movement of Change is pursuing legal action amidst the controversy in the South Zone.

Ten new clubs that did not compete in the South Zone competition were allowed to vote while Movement of Change did not contest in the East and South West Zones.

“We are on course and everything is moving with what we have planned. The clubs have spoken loud and clear and they have shown us their support. The clubs have realised that the current administration has nothing new to offer and they are regurgitating the same issues,” said Bassarath yesterday.

The Chairman of the South East Zone who has emerged as the front runner for the presidency of the TTCB stated that the Movement of Change will sweep the National League elections.

“The clubs which are the major stake holders in Trinidad and Tobago cricket have seen the light and they are not satisfied by the representation the current administration has given.

“They want to move forward and I am confident the National League clubs will follow the Zonal club and hopefully the current administration will step down after we have won,” said Bassarath.

The first vice president of the TTCB was critical of the manner in which the South Zone Club Representative elections were conducted.

“We would have won the South Zone if underhand tactics were not used. There was no proper protocol followed to have these ten new clubs entered into the election. The other Zones have moved in a smooth manner and it is quite unfortunate to see such breaches in the electoral process,” said Bassarath.

Chief Executive Officer and General Secretary of the TTCB, Forbes Persaud supervised the South Zone elections which saw a mass walk out of clubs in protest of the new clubs being allowed to vote.

“There is a massive loss in confidence in the TTCB especially after what happened in the South Zone. For a top official to witness such things tells you a bit about the manner in which cricket is being governed in Trinidad and Tobago,” said Bassarath.

T&T Newsday

Cane Farm continue to progress in local cricket

CANE Farm Sport Club, founded in 1960, is now in the 50th year of existence. We had set our goal to get to national cricket all through our existence.

In the past we have played through the Raja League, Trincity Minor League, Former East Zone, Northeast Zone and now the newly reconstituted East Zone.

Two years ago we were invited to join the East Zone and competed at Division Two. We won that Division in the 2008 season with 128 points, and was promoted to Division One, going as the underdogs against teams of the likes of Fulham Sports, EYM Sports, Agents Sports, Squadron Sports, Prisons Sports and Las Lomas Sports, all of whom were former Super-League and National No 2 teams.

Lo and behold we have gone through the 2009 season without losing a match of which there was 11 teams in Division One. We are now at 172 points and have won the Division One League and will be promoted to the North Championship for 2010 season.

Our team CFSC with players such as Under-15 national player, Anthony Simmons (Lendl Simmons’ nephew) and East Zone Under-19 players Mark Sankar and Terrance Hinds and the experience from Stephen Battoo as captain, alongside Sheldon Balroop and East Zone Seniors Captain Damian Peters.

We have achieved our national goal to compete at this higher level of cricket in the country. Cane Farm is where Master Lendl Simmons our West Indies player was born and bred. At age 11 out of primary school, he was taken under the wings of CFSC to play Reserve League cricket in Division One North East Zone, where he went to play at Sec School, Moosai Sports, Clico Preysal, and eventually at Merry Boys where he is still a member.

He continues to be around our team to advise and help the younger player where he can in the game of cricket.

We at CFSC will be happy to have a co-operate sponsor to assist us to campaign at this high level of cricket, to ensure that we can continue our campaign to move on to the next level, the highest level of cricket in the country “The Premier Division”.

We look forward to holding discussions with any NGOs who may be interested in our achievements within the last 50 years.

The CFSC home ground is on Crown Street, Tacarigua where we have floodlights and an eight-foot walk-past on our grounds. This playing field is one of the largest single cricket fields in the East Zone.

For further information please contact the club secretary who has been in that position for at least 20 years and president for five years with a vast knowledge of the club’s history, Kazim Mohammed at 654-6637.

T&T Newsday

Players advance in Triumph windball

PLAYERS advanced in the Triumph Sports Club Andy Wheel Windball Tournament after knocking out Trouble Makers at Garden Village, Arouca, recently.

Good batting gave Players the platform to register a commanding 46- run victory. Issac Nandlal (31) and Mukesh Latchman (27) batting aggressively enabled Players to close on 99 for five. Trouble Makers in its reply saw most of their batsmen struggle. Mickel Mohammed was the sole batsman to show any resistance scoring 18 runs. Rishi Paheman took two for six as trouble makers struggle to 53 for seven.

Summarised Scores:

PLAYERS 99/5 - Issac Nandlal 31, Mukesh Latchman 27, Toy Ragbir 2/8 vs TROUBLE MAKERS 53/7 - Mickel Mohammed 18, Rishi Paheman 2/6

FULHAM 30/1 - Wayne Pamphille 24 vs RISING STARS SLAMMERS 27 - Ryan Ramastray 2/5

FIVE RIVERS UNITED 68 - Shane Hosein 28, Sadeeq Ali 12, Sarran Sookdeo 3/13 vs FEARLESS TALIBAN 63/5 - Anil Karim 28, Kevon Martinez 20, Ronald Sankar 1/9

HEAVY UNITED 52 - Sudarshan Hosein 18, Damien Hinds 16, Issac Cain 2/5 vs BON AIR BOYS 26 - Regan Hernandez 4, Kurt Alfred 2/8

AWESOME 58/4 - Saffaz Lalloo 18, Ravi Ramsaran 23, Keegan Partap 3/6 vs TAKE AND PAST 45 - Sean Naipaul 23, Ravi Ramsaran 2/7

FREE STYLE 74/5 - Issac Kennedy 18, Nicholas Gopaul 13, Shane De Silva 2/6 vs OLD BOYS CREW B 70 - Aaron Rampersad 15, Shane De Silva 12, Joey Jagroop 2/6

D’ RIVER LIME 72 - Vishal Pudhan 18, Peter Motilal 14, Rockey Ramsook 2/17 vs SMOKE DEM 16 - Salim Mohammed 5, Ricky Sankar 3/4

FULHAM 30/3 - Khadon De Leon 12, Rudy Laltoo 1/7 vs 007 29 - George Ramsumari 10, Stefan Campoo 2/3

BRIGADIER 98/6 - Sunil Narine 29, Deepak Kumar 19, Dave Baboolal 17, Narine Samaroo 2/6 vs BALL UNITED 52 - Avinash Deonarine 18, Vinod Mark 17, Adrian Ramcharitar 3/11, Hanuman Moonsammy 2/15

COUSINS 11/3 - Kenneth Baptiste 3/4, Satram Singh 3/6 vs PLAYERS 10

FREE STYLE 94/6 - Issac Kennedy 27, Jonathan Narine 25, Neil Harricharan 3/12 vs D’ RIVER LIME 49 - Peter Motilal 18, Juan Carlos Narine 2/4

BRIGADIER def 300 SPARTAN (Default)

T&T Newsday

Greenidge to coach T&TCB U23 Academy

Former Barbados and West Indies opening batsman, Gordon Greenidge will be one of the coaches at the T&T Cricket Board 2009 Cricket Academy.

This was revealed by programme director William Wallace at the official launch of the second edition of the Under-23 academy which took place last Friday at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva. Greenidge will be supported by Clem Hercules, Debideen Mannick and Julian Fontaine. According to Wallace, the programme, which started on Friday, will continue over a ten-week-period on the weekends. He said at the end of the programme a team will be selected to tour South Africa in December.

Wallace said that this was one of many initiatives that the board would embark on in the near future. “The T&TCB in its continuing efforts to contribute in the process of producing the product, (the cricketer), continues to embark on programmes such as this one.
The U-23 Academy can be considered the top tier in a series of developmental programmes which starts with an age-group as low as six,” Wallace said. Wallace said that in 2008 the programme was a resounding success and he was expecting that in 2009 it would be even better. He said the programme was a residential one, with the selectees coming on Friday and leaving on Sunday.

“The T&TCB is mandated to oversee cricket in T&T at all levels and to contribute to realising the full potential of all players. To this end we cannot over emphasise the role of the board in contributing to the final product—the cricketer.
We see the need to design a programme to walk with a group of players to the next level,” Wallace said.
Among the programme components will be psychological, public image, health and wellness, physical fitness, cricket.

Trinidad Guardian

Kelly left waiting on selectors for answer

ALLROUNDER Richard Kelly is yet to receive a “proper” explanation why he was omitted from Trinidad and Tobago team to compete at the Champions League Twenty20 tournament in India next month.

“No reason has been given to me as yet. I have been attending training and the selectors are yet to tell me what exactly is the position,” said Kelly yesterday.

The experienced allrounder was surprisingly dumped from the national team for the lucrative India competition last week and complained that no satisfactory reason was given to him by the Trinidad and Tobago Selection Panel.

Kelly said he has been unsuccessful in his attempts to contact selectors Alec Burns and Claude Phillip after Chairman of Selectors, Narine Bideshi provided an “inadequate” answer.

“I saw Alec Burns at a practice match on Saturday and he did not make any attempt to talk to me. Earlier he said he would speak to me at training but when he came he did not make any attempt to address the issue,” said Kelly. The Ceramic MerryBoys allrounder described the experience as “frustrating” since the channel of communication between the players, selectors and administrators is non-existent.

“Right now I am unsure if I would get a proper answer from the selectors.

I am just waiting and nothing is happening.

There should be a proper formal system to address an issue like mine,” said Kelly.

He added that the matter is made even worse by the fact that he sees selectors at training but no-one is seeking to clarify the situation.

“Maybe in the mind of the selectors there is nothing to explain? In their minds I could be the one at fault? Who knows...but I will be patient,” said Kelly. In an attempt to secure a valid reason for his omission from the national team Kelly stated that he spoke with captain Daren Ganga.

“Daren said that the system used was a democratic process and he was outvoted by the selectors. The skipper said he wanted me in the team but the others did not want me and that I had his support,” said Kelly.

Despite his surprise omission from the national Twenty20 team, Kelly said he is shifting his focus to the 50-overs tournament and hopefully can improve on whatever flaw the selectors saw in his Twenty20 game.

“I am going to keep going and just now we will be selecting the 50-overs team. I will try and get selected for that team and go from there,” said Kelly.

Kern Ramlochan
T&T Express

Change sweeps Central Zone Cricket

THE MOVEMENT for Change strengthened their position in the build- up for Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board’s (TTCB) election of officers yesterday by comprehensively sweeping the Central Zone in the Club Representative Elections.

There was a massive show of support for the Movement for Change slate led by former Chairman of the National Selectors, Dudnath Ramkessoon winning all six positions.

Ramkessoon who was removed by the current administration of the TTCB led by Deryck Murray made a triumphant comeback defeating the “Friends of Cricket” slate led by Mishri Lutchmedial.

Ramkessoon obtained 32 votes while Lutchmedial could only muster 22 votes. Also winning for the Movement for Change slate were Lalman Kowlessar (41 votes), Larry Kowlessar (36 votes), Avinash Jaggernauth (28 votes), Rajendra Poorai (26 votes) and Anderson Ramdath (28 votes).

The victory for the Movement for Change in the Central Zone has put them further in front in the effort to remove the Murray Administration from office.

The group, led by Azim Bassarath and comprising several experienced cricket officials have already won the North East and South East Zones. Bassarath yesterday commended the officials who supervised the Central Zone elections.

“The elections in the Central Zone was conducted in a professional manner and it is a shame the South Zone elections could not have been done in the same way.

“What is worse about the South Zone elections was the fact that the Chief Executive Officer and General Secretary of the TTCB, Forbes Persaud was present when the system was undermined, “ said Bassarath.

There was a walk-out in the South Zone elections with five major clubs not casting votes when ten new clubs that did not participate in the Zonal competition were allowed to vote. The Movement for Change has met with its attorneys and will be seeking legal redress to have the matter resolved claiming a breach of the TTCB’s constitution.

“There were some breaches in the South Zone elections and this cannot be allowed. New clubs cannot come in without the proper procedures and it is disgusting to see the to levels which people are resorting to win an election,” said Bassarath.

He explained that Movement for Change will not be contesting elections in the East and South West Zones due to the good progress and development made in those districts.

“The East and South West Zones have done very good and its administration have been quite outstanding. The Movement for Change does not want to interfere but wants to effect positive change.

“We contested the Central Zone because that zone in particular needed positive change and due to the amount of problems in the that area,” said Bassarath.

Kern Ramlochan
T&T Newsday

Battle heats up for T&TCB

With two more zones to go, the battle for leadership of the T&T Cricket Board (T&TCB) between the incumbents led by former Test player, Deryck Murray, and the Movement for Change team, remains in high gear. So far both teams have taken control of three zones each, with Movement for Change claiming Central on Saturday night after chalking up North East 6-0 and South East 7-1 last week. The opposition took victory as four of the six members to serve on the zonal council for the 2009/2011 period have reportedly pledged support for the Movement for Change team.

These included former national selector Dudnath Ramkessoon, who secured 32 votes, Avinash Jaggernauth 28, Anderson Ramdath 28 and Rajendra Poorai 26. For the incumbents, Lalman Kowlessar had 41 votes and Larry Kowlessar 36. On Monday night, the current administration romped home to a 6-0 landslide as clubs in the East held zonal elections. Out of a possible total of 26 votes chairman of the zone Tarandath Sammy, Aslim Mandol and Sharaz Mohammed secured 24 votes while Sukesh Maniam, Kelvin Arneaud and Jewan Seeraj polled 23 each.

Trevor Alleyne and Wendell Eversley who were aiming to break into one of the Murray administration’s strong holds, failed in their bid, as they were only able to garner nine and seven votes respectively. Secretary of the East Zone, Maniam speaking on behalf of the six representatives, said he was not surprised at the result since he believed the current officers had performed extremely well over the last two years. He is confident the present incumbents will be endorsed to serve for another term at the zone’s AGM. “Since the zone was re-established, we have done extremely well and this year in particular, has been fantastic as we won every inter zonal youth competition organised by the board,” said Maniam. He added that his council was very grateful to the current administration led by Deryck Murray for making the decision to re-establish the East Zone.
Meanwhile the Tobago Cricket Association (TCA), which recently became a zone, has already held its election and has pledged support to Murray and his administration.

President of the TCA, Ignatius Trim, said the T&T Cricket Board has done an excellent job and this is manifested by the performances of the national teams over the last three to four years. “This current group is very stable and I think that they should be given a chance to continue the good work they have been doing. Tobago is fully behind the Deryck Murray administration.”
The elections for the last two zones, North and South West, are expected to take place shortly and Murray’s Friends of Cricket are favoured to take these two Zones.

Kevin Sunich
Trinidad Guardian

Greenidge to work at T&T cricket academy

OUTSTANDING FORMER West Indies opener Gordon Greenidge will be lending his experience to the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board’s (TTCB) Cricket Academy which was launched on Friday.

This was revealed by programme director William Wallace at the official launch of the second edition of the Under-23 Academy at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva.

Greenidge, a former chairman of West Indies selectors, played 108 Tests and 128 One-Day Internationals for the regional side in an outstanding career spanning 17 years.

He will be supported by Clem Hercules, Debideen Mannick and Julian Fontaine in the academy which will run for a ten-week-period on weekends.

“The TTCB is mandated to oversee cricket in Trinidad and Tobago at all levels and to contribute to realising the full potential of all players,” Wallace explained.

“To this end we cannot over emphasise the role of the Board in contributing to the final product – the cricketer.

“We see the need to design a programme to walk with a group of players to the next level.”

Nineteen players have been invited to the academy and will be lectured on topics such as public image, health and wellness and physical fitness.

Promising all-rounder Yannic Cariah, one of the leading players in this year’s West Indies Under-19 tournament, has been named among the invitees.

He is currently a member of a 20-member West Indies training squad which is preparing for the ICC Youth World Cup in New next year.

CMC

Balmain cricket captain to appeal 49-year ban

FORMER captain of the Balmain United Cricket Club, Bobby Sookoo is appealing a ban of 49 years imposed on him by the club.

On July 17, Sookoo was issued documents informing him of the historic ban which must be a record in local club cricket. The reasons given for Sookoo’s ban were — promoting false allegations about the president of the club, tarnishing the club’s reputation; bringing the club into disrepute and verbally abusing players and members.

Secretary of the club, Brent Morgan said that Sookoo caused a controversy about a cheque the club received for finishing runners-up in a 40-over tournament.

“We received $3,000 and Sookoo was asking for $1,500 for himself with the club keeping the remainder,” said Morgan. He stated that the club needed the money to use for the forthcoming season due to the increase in costs to compete.

“Club registration is $600 and then registering a player is $25, increasing from $10. Then we have to buy gears, maintain covers and provide tea for matches,” said Morgan.

Balmain United have informed the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) about its decision to ban Sookoo. Morgan believes the ban given to the club’s former captain is “fair” taking into consideration the actions of the player.

“This player has been on the radar for the past two years and we have been observing his conduct and this eventually resulted in this face-off. We want him out of the club after the problems he has caused,” said Morgan.

However, Sookoo when contacted denied all the allegations made against him. He said that the club is trying to distract from the real issue of corruption.

“The Central Zone had its presentation function on July 12 and a top official collected the cheque due to us as runners-up on July 8. Why could he not wait until the function to collect the cheque? He tried to pocket the money for himself and when I raised the issue they called a meeting and banned me for 49 years,” said Sookoo.

He criticised the executive of the Central Zone for giving the cheque to the Balmain official before the function adding that they contributed to the problem.

He revealed that within the last year a top-ranking member of the club physically attacked the former treasurer and opening batsman in the club resulting in serious injuries.

However he said no disclipinary action was taken against the offending official.

“I never asked to keep any money. This was a team effort and the money should have been used on the team to have a lime to celebrate the achievement and show appreciation.

“They said that I cursed players and that is why I was banned. But if I cursed players why did they not ban me during the season? Why wait until the tournament was done to take this action?” queried Sookoo.

He noted that the decision of the club’s executive was unconstitutional since there were no elections to install the present administration.

“The official is a dictator and people were appointed by him. Brent Morgan is not even the secretary. He is the club treasurer but the official’s son is really the secretary. But he did not want the ban to look like a father/son decision so Morgan signed the letter. Our details in the bank has Morgan registered as the treasurer,” said Sookoo.

So far Sookoo has personally given copies of his appeal to president of the TTCB, Deryck Murray with a copy for Chief Executive Officer, Forbes Persaud.

“It has been 15 days now and there has been no reply. I have lost faith in the TTCB and will be seeking legal action and having the matter investigated. My name has been slandered and I will be taking the necessary action to correct that since I was not given any chance to defend myself,” said Sookoo.

The official at the centre of the current controversy was also in the spotlight last year accused of misappropriation of funds which resulted in an interim committee being put in place by the TTCB to run the affairs of the zone.

T&T Newsday

Murray: We remain open, transparent

The battle for control of the T&T Cricket Board (T&TCB) has taken a new turn, with the incumbent Deryck Murray led-administration responding to statements made by its opposing body “Movement for Change,” which is making a bid to replace the T&TCB at the upcoming AGM elections on October 31. At a media conference hosted yesterday at the President’s Box at the Queen’s Park Oval, Murray described claims by the body as mischievous and irresponsible.When Movement of Change launched its campaign on Wednesday, former executive member of the T&TCB, Baldath Mahabir, called on Murray to explain a number payments which he alleged were made to current members of his Board. Murray described the call as outrageous and disgraceful.

“Their claims are mischievous and wicked. The affairs by this executive are always open and transparent. The audited account is always in the full view of the public domain. The allegations are totally unfounded. They are being manipulated by other members of the executive who have access to privileged information of the board,” said Murray. Murray said that it was another successful year for the T&TCB, with several successful programmes. He said that among the future plans will be the launch of the 2009/2010 Cricket Academy which will take place today at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva, from 2 pm, and an Umpires Certification Programme now taking place throughout the country. Murray said his executive is working assiduously to ensure that every match will be presided by official umpires and also it is an equal opportunity for the umpires to move on from zonal to regional and even international level. He stated that the T&TCB wants to ensure that the sport is played as recreation and pleasure.

Murray told the conference the work of the T&TCB will continue and will administrate cricket which is befitting to the game and to ensure more clubs and players take part. He commended the efforts of the two newly-restructured zone — East and South-West for having a successful season and to welcome the Tobago Cricket Association as a full-fledged zone. Concerning West Indies cricket, Murray said that there must be change from within. “What has to happen, West Indies cricket must change from within, the people in the organisation must recognise that we cannot continue to operate in a structure developed back in the 1920's in the colonial days, the board must evolve and change,” Murray said. He called on the cricketing public to support the T&T cricket team who will be taking part in the up-coming IPL Champions League in India in October.

Naz Yacoob
Trinidad Guardian