T and T resume training after winning third CT20 title

COUVA, Trinidad, CMC-Trinidad and Tobago have resumed training for the regional four-day and Super50 campaigns after winning the Caribbean T20 tournament for a third straight year.

About 40 cricketers have been attending national trails which are currently underway at the National Cricket Centre, in Balmain, Couva, West Central Trinidad.

Preparations began last November when the selections were made and were affected by the absence of players because of Caribbean T20 tournament which ended Sunday.

“Right now we have a trial game going on and we had one last week,” said Coach David Williams.

“While the T20 team was away, Kello (Kelvin Williams) was here preparing the other guys for the four-day and 50-over tournaments, and then we have the domestic league starting this weekend so they will be ready for next month”.

A major highlight of the trials has been the batting prowess of in-form opener Justin Guillen who is seeking to cement his place on the national side.

Guillen has powered his way to three centuries in three consecutive innings to further press his claim for selection.

Trinidad and Tobago begin their campaign in the four-day competition with a game against Windward Islands at the Arnos Vale Playing field from February 15.

The Trinidadians are expected to field a strong team despite the absence of four top players- Dwayne and Darren Bravo, Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard-who are leaving the region Wednesday with the West Indies team for their Australian tour.

“Well we have four guys going off with the West Indies so for the first game, (Denesh) Ramdin, (Lendl) Simmons and (Adrian) Barath are the senior guys who will be available and that will make us pretty strong when we come up against the Windwards. We will have those players ready and hopefully we can get our campaign off to a good start,” said the former Windies wicketkeeper.