KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Title-holders Trinidad and Tobago will begin their quest for a hat-trick of titles when they face Combined Campuses and Colleges on the opening day of the WICB Regional one-day championship today.
The clash at Kensington Park in east Kingston will be one of two Group A matches signalling the start of the tournament, as hosts Jamaica also get their campaign going against the Windward Islands at Trelawny Multi Purpose Stadium in the north-west of the country.
T&T have won the last two tournaments staged in Guyana and captain Daren Ganga said he was upbeat about his side’s chances in the October 14-24.
“We are very confident. It’s been two consecutive years we’ve been champions in this tournament,” said the out-of-favour West Indies batsman.
“This year is going to be an historic year if we can achieve this accomplishment of winning the title three times consecutively, it will be a great achievement for the Trinidad and Tobago cricket team.”
T&T will be heavily favoured to repeat as champions especially since they boast a balanced side, with strong batting and bowling.
Their batting will be led by the big-hitting Kieron Pollard and include Lendl Simmons, Ganga and the enterprising duo of Adrian Barath and Daren Bravo.
West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo will spearhead a bowling attack which also includes Windies fast bowler Ravi Rampaul.
T&T will play alongside powerhouses Jamaica and Windward Islands and Ganga said he knew his side would have to play strong cricket to be successful.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge. It’s not going to be easy. [The tournament] is being played at a venue that we’re not accustomed to so it’s very important for us to start well in this competition and gather momentum so that we can go all the way,” he pointed out.
“We’re quite happy with the preparations we’ve had. We had some issues with the weather … Trinidad and Tobago have been blessed with some facilities where we can make use of the indoors and the team has done exactly that.”
CCC, meanwhile, will look to spring a surprise. They boast the big-hitting Barbadian Martin Nurse, attacking Trinidadian opener William Perkins and the experience of Floyd Reifer and the Windies A team pair of Omar Phillips and Chadwick Walton.
“Every tournament we come to play, we always aim to compete. I want the players to be competitive and to have belief,” said Reifer who captained West Indies last year.
“Last year we played some good cricket and got to the semi-finals. Here in Jamaica, where we will get good cricket-wickets, we will take it step by step.
“In one-day cricket the better team on the day will come out on top. We have to do the basics well. We have played Trinidad and Tobago before and we did well against them in some very competitive matches.
“We will be going out and try to apply the basics and take our chances when we get them.”
Jamaica, meanwhile, will also try to start on a winning note but face a tricky engagement against the unpredictable Windwards.
With the likes of West Indies captain Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Carlton Baugh and all-rounder David Bernard, Jamaica have already been installed as one of the hot favourites.
“Expectations are high. We are playing at home and the fans will be expecting the best from us at all times,” said Jamaica coach Junior Bennett.
“Once we play good consistent cricket and play to our ability we should be successful. We have a team that can do well in this tournament and I am confident the guys will do well.
“It will be a very competitive tournament and it will all come down to which team executes the best.”
Windward Islands will be without the services of veteran Rawl Lewis who has retired and seasoned campaign Deighton Butler who has been overlooked.
However, they will be lifted by West Indies all-rounder Darren Sammy who will skipper the side, and the presence of Devon Smith and Andre Fletcher, both of whom have played for West Indies.
“I see the passion and the commitment in the team and I know I have with me a group of players who are willing to fight to win the tournament,” said Sammy.
“We are in Group A with Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago … people see them as favourites. We’re cool with that. Our first aim is to reach the final four and then take it from there. We’ll play it one game at a time.”
SQUADS:
CCC – Romel Currency (captain), Omar Phillips, William Perkins, Miles Bascombe, Floyd Reifer (player/coach), Nekoli Parris, Ryan Wiggins, Martin Nurse, Chadwick Walton, Ryan Austin, Kavesh Kantasingh, Gilford Moore, Shervon Penco, Borris Hutchinson.
T&T – Daren Ganga (captain), Adrian Barath, Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, Keiron Pollard, Jason Mohammed, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Kevon Cooper, Imran Khan, Sherwin Ganga, Dave Mohammed, Samuel Badree, Ravi Rampaul.
JAMAICA – Chris Gayle (captain), Xavier Marshall Danza Hyatt, Marlon Samuels, Tamar Lambert, Horace Miller, Brendan Nash, Carlton Baugh Jr, David Bernard Jr, Odean Brown, Nikita Miller, Andre Russell, Andrew Richardson, Krishmar Santokie.
WINDWARD ISLANDS
– Darren Sammy (captain), Johnson Charles, Garey Mathurin, Keddy Lesporis, Craig Emmanuel, Donwell Hector, Kenroy Peters, Lindon James, Devon Smith, Andre Fletcher, Nelon Pascal, Shane Shillingford, Mervin Matthew, Liam Sebastien.