Murray appeals for right balance for T and T semi-final

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC-Former West Indies wicketkeeper Deryck Murray says the right combination of players needs to be selected for Trinidad and Tobago’s four-day semi-final against Jamaica which begins next Thursday at Sabina Park.

Murray’s recommendation comes on the heels of T and T’s recent losses in the Regional four-day and Super 50 competitions.

“This is a one-off game and will be played in particular conditions in Jamaica,” said the former Cricket Board president.

“They have to look at the batting and the spin options and come up with the right balance because they always looked as though they were one batsman short.”

Denesh Ramdin’s men were beaten by Barbados in two days in their final regional four-day tournament round robin match at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain.

They were also demolished by Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) in the Regional Super50 semifinal, losing by 140 runs at Kensington Oval, Barbados.

The Trinidadians struggled with the bat being dismissed for 109 and 129 against Barbados, and 92 all out in reply to CCC’s 232 for seven in the Super50 semi.

“They also have to go back to the basics, starting by looking at our strengths,” Said Murray, president of the Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC).

“They also need to look at how the team is selected and the team’s preparation for the game, which take will place in particular conditions, which the players need to be prepared for.”

Windward Islands and Barbados will meet in the other regional four-day semi-final at a venue to be decided.