T&T going all out to stay on title path
On the eve of their clash against the Cobras to decide which team will face New South Wales in tomorrow’s final, giant-killing T&T used their last pre-match training session to fine-tune strategies for a title-bid their captain Daren Ganga describes as the biggest of his career.
“Winning this title will definitely be a highlight in my career and would do wonders for the young players on this team,” Ganga said.
The 30-year-old, who has played 48 Tests and 35 One Day International (ODI) matches for West Indies, says his players are hungry for success in the US$6 million tournament.
“The guys on this team can really reach places by going all the way and they are aware of this,” Ganga said.
On the back of confident, unrestrained batting, the little-fancied Caribbean T20 champions have reeled off four superb victories including a stunning four-wicket triumph over New South Wales (NSW) last Friday, highlighted by Kieron Pollard’s awesome unbeaten 54 off 18 balls.
T&T had pounded reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Deccan Chargers and England’s Somerset in the Group A, before marching past NSW and the Eagles (South Africa) in the Super 8 phase.
The winning CLT20 prize is US$2.5 million and the runners-up get US$1.3 million.
As semi-finalists, T&T are already guaranteed US$500,000 and Ganga is trying to keep his side calm and focused, using the same strategy that took them to the last four.
“I know that they are under pressure with all that is at stake but I have told them in order to continue their inspiring run they need to continue enjoying their cricket and playing the best that they can.”
Ganga also believes they will benefit from playing today at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, where they have contested their last three games.
“The Cobras are a very good side but we are capable of taking them out and we have the ‘home’ support as the fans at Hyderabad have seen so much of us here, I think that they have adopted us as the ‘home’ team.
“I want to tell our fans back home, that whatever the outcome we would have done our best for them. This period is really a great one for cricket in our country,” Ganga added.
Team manager Colin Borde also spoke positively yesterday ahead of the semi-final assignment.
“We are relaxed, focused and ready to lay it on the line for Trinidad and Tobago. We are aware that there has been much joy at home and that our performances have delighted many across the globe,” Borde said.
“This has been very rewarding for us all, as we hope that this will ignite a dying passion for the game in the region.”
Borde said, in spite of their 100 per cent record, there will be no chance of his side becoming complacent.
“We are acutely aware that cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties and that vigilance is the watch word. We want to make T&T proud and this is a team that takes nothing for granted. Everything is done well down to the finest detail and nothing will be left to chance,” he said.
“We trained today and had a very fruitful and focused session, outlining some of the strategies that can be employed in the semi-final. We also tightened up on some of the plans that we have and are ready to execute come Thursday night,” Borde said yesterday.
“The team as usual has taken a very professional approach, as well as the support staff. It is imperative that we keep all of us on an even keel.
“Playing for Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region is of paramount importance and we want to bring this trophy back to the region, if only to prove that West Indian cricket is alive and well,” Borde said.
Match time today is 10:30 am (Eastern Caribbean Time).
SQUADS:TRINIDAD & TOBAGO – Darren Ganga (captain), Samuel Badree, Navin Stewart, Lendl Simmons, Ravi Rampaul Denesh Ramdin, Kieron Pollard, William Perkins, Sunil Narine, Dave Mohammed, Adrian Barath, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Bravo, Rayad Emrit and Sherwin Ganga.
CAPE COBRAS – Andrew Puttick (captain), Derek Brand, Monde Zondeki, Vernon Philander, Francois Plaatjies, Justin Ontong, Stiaan van Zyl, Charl Langeveldt, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan Canning, Henry Davids, Jean-Paul Duminy, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Herschelle Gibbs, Claude Henderson.