Ottley replaces Emrit at helm for Scorpions clash

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Selectors have named all-rounder Yannick Ottley to replace Rayad Emrit as captain of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force for their third round game of the Regional First Class Championship which bowls off on Friday.

The 24-year-old, who has played 19 first class games since making his debut three years ago, will lead a 13-man squad which sees three forced changes from the drawn last game against Barbados Pride.

Fast bowler Marlon Richards, opener Jeremy Solozano and all-rounder Uthman Mohammed replace the trio of Emrit, Evin Lewis and Shannon Gabriel.

Emrit and Lewis are headed to the Bangladesh Premier League which bowls off at the weekend while Gabriel leaves the Caribbean with West Indies next week for the Test tour of Australia.

Red Force host Jamaica Scorpions at Queen’s Park Oval in their first home game of the championship and Ottley said while he was feeling some pressure of the new role, he was eager to get started.

“It is a bit exciting at the moment and it is an honour to captain my country. I can’t wait for the game against Jamaica. I just want to do my best and lead from the front,” Ottley said.

“I definitely did not expect to be named captain at this young age when I started playing first class cricket. This has been exciting and part of my development from youth cricket where I have captained several youth teams.”