CENTURION, South Africa, CMC-Trinidad and Tobago management has dismissed the team’s eight wicket loss to Auckland Aces in a warm-up match on Sunday as a learning curve.
Manager Omar Khan says while the outcome of the game was irrelevant it allowed players the chance to test the playing conditions in South Africa.
The Red Force is preparing to battle Yorkshire today in their opening qualifying match of the champion’s league Twenty/20 tournament.
“The guys did not win the game but more importantly they were able to go out there and get an idea of the conditions” said Khan.
“We viewed this as more important than the result. Of course five of the top players were missing and we are hoping that their arrival here, brings that advantage to the team”.
The visitors made 152 for six off their 20 overs with kevon Cooper top-scoring with 63 and Jason Mohammed supporting with 48.
However, their bowlers were punished by the South Africans who reached the target losing just two wickets.
“It was just a practice game and the result really does not affect the confidence of the team ahead of the tournament. We came in on Saturday and the guys really did not have a lot of time to adjust” Khan told the Express newspaper.
“At the end of the day we were able to identify what we need to do differently here in South Africa, and the players are taking the positives out of that game and working hard to adjust quickly to the conditions”.
Yorkshire has suffered some setbacks going into the match against T&T without their best batsman and bowler Jonny Bairstow and Tim Bresnan.
They are also without David Miller who was forced to leave the field when he was hit in the face after scoring a solid 22 to set up Yorkshire’s victory over Sri Lankan champions Uva on Monday.
Pacer Ravi Rampaul is expected to pose considerable threat on the centurion pitch known for being one of the quicker pitches in South Africa.
“The pitch, the bounce, the atmosphere which is way above sea level and this will augur well for us as a team.” Said Coach David Williams.
The Red Force , part of a three team group, takes on English County side Yorkshire today before clashing with Sri Lankan champions Uva tomorrow.
The top team of the group will claim a spot in the Champions’ league main draw.
