Omar Khan, manager of the Trinidad national cricket team which takes on Guyana from tomorrow at the Albion Community Development Centre ground in Berbice has praised the development programme in Trinidad for his team's fine showing this year.
Despite missing a few of their West Indies stars including West Indies captain and batting maestro Brian Lara, and a few young promising players who are with the West Indies Under-19 team in Sri Lanka, the Trinidad team is in second position after four rounds.
Barbados lead the points standings with the maximum 48 points from four outright wins followed closely by Trinidad on 36.
"We have a pretty young team. The average age of the team is 22. We have lost over the last year a number of our players who are involved in the West Indies team and the West Indies under-19 team namely Lara, Merv Dillon, Daren Ganga and Ravi Rampaul with the senior team and Denesh Ramdhin and Lendl Simmons with the under-19 team," Khan revealed.
"In addition the retirements of former West Indies leg-spinner Didanath Ramnarine, who is only 28 and off-spinner Mukesh Persaud have forced the Trinidad selectors to rebuild.
The Trinidad players warming up yesterday before getting down to the serious business of net practice. (Lawrence Fanfair photo)
"Fortunately for us in Trinidad we have a very good youth development coaching programme. The Sir Frank Worrell Development Centre is used as an academy. Every year a batch of 17-18 cricketers coming out from tournaments such as the West Indies under-19 series are fed into the academy."
Khan said the result is players such as Amit Jaggernauth.
Only 20, Jaggernauth was referred to by Khan as a "mystery spinner" because he bowls both leg-spin and off-spin.
Khan was also loud in praise of batsman Dwayne Bravo. Also only 20, Bravo is rapidly making a name for himself, Khan said and looking to show the West Indies selectors that he is ready for the big time. So far, Khan said, Bravo has scored over 369 runs this season and taken 19 wickets.
At the moment Trinidad are in sole second position by virtue of two outright wins and two wins on first innings.
"We are here full of confidence," Khan declared as the team had their first net session at the GCC, Bourda ground yesterday morning.
"We want to maintain that level of performance...that level of intensity. We are here to play hard, competitive cricket and will be looking for maximum points," Khan declared.
Khan said their objective is to keep abreast with Barbados who they will play in the final round at home.
At that time Lara, Dillon, and Jamaican Ricardo Powell who now plays for Trinidad, will be back and Khan is confident of the Twin-Island republic team defeating the front-runners in what should be the `grand finale.'
"I think we are quite capable of winning the tournament," Khan opined.
The manager said that Daren Ganga, who was in England, was due to arrive in Guyana last night and will be a welcome addition to the team.
Former West Indies pacer Marlon Black will lead the Trinidad pace attack with support from Theodore Modeste and Reyad Emrit.
Test spinner Dave Mohammed who played in the recent Test series against South Africa was declared unfit because of a torn groin muscle and was unable to make the trip.
Off-spinner Rodney Sooklall has taken his place.
Trinidad's batting will centre on Ganga, with support from skipper Imran Jan, Ganga's younger brother Sherwin, Bravo and 23-year-old Shazam Babwah.
Khan opined that Guyana are a good side at home where they will have the home advantage.
He however pointed out that the team is currently experiencing internal problems.
"I hate to see in cricket players not being able to understand that it takes maturity to represent your country with pride and dignity."
The manager added: "That is not our concern however. We are here to play cricket and although Guyana at home will be a difficult side at the end of the day we are hoping to come out on top."
"We have to remain focused, play good cricket and I am sure it will be a very good game and the fans will be able to see some good cricket."