PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Left-handed batsman Aneil Kanhai and uncapped leg-spinner Emile Rajah served notice on Trinidad & Tobago’s selectors during the first national trial match which concluded on Saturday. The 28-year-old Kanhai, who has been overlooked for national selection over the last seven years, reminded the national selectors about his talent, when he stroked 143, as Rayad Emrit’s side were dismissed for 314 on the first day of the match at the National Cricket Centre.
Kanhai, who played 18 first-class matches between 2002 and 2004, struck 17 fours and four sixes from 176 balls.
Rajah then helped to give Emrit’s side a healthy first innings lead, when he snared five wickets for 45 runs, as Amit Jaggernauth’s side replied with 222.
Nicholas Alexis, a national Under-19 player, top-scored with 76 and another uncapped batsman Nicholas Sookdeosingh made 68
Batting a second time, Emrit’s side reached 282 for seven, when the match drew to its conclusion.
Among the runs were Yannick Ottley with an unbeaten 54 and national chinaman bowler Dave Mohammed with 53 not out.
The trial match is being played to help the national selectors identify potential choices for next month’s WICB Regional first-class championship.
T&T finished fourth in last year’s competition, and are looking to vastly improve their final position.
