GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago skipper Daren Ganga has expressed confidence Guyana will do well in the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 starting next week in South Africa.
The former West Indies opening batsman said once Guyana played to the best of their ability they could prove the surprise team at the lucrative September 10-26 tournament.
“I think the guys have what it takes to be a winner in South Africa. They will be going to represent the Caribbean and they have our support as well,” Ganga said following two warm-up matches between Guyana and T&T here at the weekend.
“I think the team is talented and I am confident they will make an impression this month.”
Guyana qualified for the CLT20 after they beat Barbados by one wicket with a ball to spare, in a thrilling final of the Caribbean T20 in July.
They will follow T&T who campaigned in last year’s tournament, playing unbeaten to reach the final before losing to Australian state side New South Wales Blues.
Ganga, who led T&T on the successful run in the inaugural tournament, said the expectation of Caribbean people was extremely high and also took the opportunity to urge Guyana’s players to make full use of their time on the international stage.
“We all expect them to do fine in South Africa. The competition will be stiff but the guys have got the talent and more importantly the chance to showcase their skills in front of massive crowd,” the right-hander said.
“I think Ramnaresh Sarwan [is] a good leader and they should able to be great competitors from their first game.”
Reflecting on the two-match warm-up series which finished 1-1, Ganga said the Guyana players had shown plenty heart and believed they would perform similarly in South Africa.
“In our first game, we won but I think the Guyanese played hard cricket while they showed a lot of character and determination towards this prestigious tournament in South Africa,” the 31-year-old Ganga pointed out.
“They have a lot of players with experience especially in this version of the game, and I know they can do it.”
The Guyanese will break camp today and regroup next Monday to begin the 20-hour long trip to South Africa.
They have been grouped in Pool A with the Highveld Lions of South Africa, South Australia, and Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore of India.
They will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in their first game on September 12 at Centurion Park.
