PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago’s selectors have raced to recall out-of-form opener Adrian Barath for the Regional Four-Day final against Barbados starting in Bridgetown tomorrow.
The right-hander was dropped for the semi-final against Jamaica which T&T won by three wickets on Sunday, but his replacement – teenager Jeremy Solozano managed just one and four on first class debut.
Chief selector Dudnath Ramkessoon said Barath’s experience would be vital in such a crucial game.
“Barath got some runs on the weekend and we decided to give him a crack at the finals because his experience will be needed against the Barbadians,” said Ramkessoon, in reference to Barath’s 54 for Queen’s Park against Esmeralda.
“Young Solozano replaced him in the last game and I did not see his innings, but judging from his scores he did not have a good game.”
Barath has had a torrid time of recent, managing just 80 runs from his last nine innings in all regional competitions this season.
The 23-year-old has played 15 Tests and 14 One-Day Internationals but has not turned out for West Indies in nearly a year because of loss of form and injuries.
Ramkessoon said the axing for the semi-final would have given Barath time to think about his role in the side, and could now serve as motivation to prove his worth.
“It will be a very hard game playing Barbados in Barbados. We know that there is a good rivalry between the two teams and we know they (Barbados) will come at us very hard so we felt that we needed some more experience at the top and we are hoping that he (Barath) will want to show that he belongs in the team and step up his performances to prove that he deserves a place in the squad,” the Trinidad Express quoted Ramkessoon as saying.
“He had some time to reflect (after being axed) and that could work in his favour. His talent and his ability were never in doubt and this will be a good time for him to prove that he belongs.”
Barath has replaced Kjorn Ottley, with Solozano keeping his place in the 13-man squad.
West Indies batsman Darren Bravo, named in the Champions Trophy squad last weekend, remains unavailable. He has played just one first class match for T&T this season.
Left-arm spinner Kavesh Kantasingh and all-rounder Yannick Ottley are also unavailable.
T&T upset five-time defending champions Jamaica by three wickets at Sabina Park last week, to power their way into the final.
Barbados also snatched their berth with an innings and 101 run victory over pre-match favourites Windward Islands at Windsor Park, inside two days.
SQUAD – Denesh Ramdin (captain), Jeremy Solozano, Lendl Simmons, Adrian Barath, Steven Katwaroo, Jason Mohammed, Akeal Hosein, Imran Khan, Rayad Emrit, Amit Juggernauth, Yannic Carriah, Shannon Gabriel, Marlon Richards. David Williams (coach), Omar Khan (manager).
