Trinidad and Tobago cricket at the helm

Trinidad and Tobago cricket at the helm
AP Photo/Tom Hevezi

Over the past 10 years, the cricket authority in Trinidad and Tobago has implemented a stringent plan for its cricketers and their development. The many leagues and different teams compete at a high standard.

Many cricketers from Trinidad and Tobago have been successful and have made their way into the West Indies team or drafted into the famous IPL in India for Twenty20 cricket.

These cricketers include Adrian Barath, Denesh Ramdin, Sunil Narine, Darren Bravo, Ravi Rampaul, Lendl Simmons and Kevin Cooper. Recently, Shannon Gabriel has joined his counterparts having been chosen to participate in the West Indies tour to England later this year.

At the moment, Trinidad and Tobago has the most players on the West Indies team for Tests, One-Day International and Twenty20. A series of competitive cricket is being played in Trinidad and Tobago allowing young players to develop their cricket skills.

Selectors on Tour Must Implement The Proper Strategy

Shannon Gabriel, the Trinidad and Toabgo pacer has performed remarkably well in this year’s Regional Four-Day Tournament and the selectors have seen the highly talented skills of the young fast bowler.

Windies selectors have erred too many times by overlooking players who should be chosen to be on the team.

Kemar Roach was sidelined against India in the Caribbean and at that time he was the team’s best bowler. It makes no sense for the team’s best bowlers to be left out of the team. Having the best players around and not playing them is counter-productive. The emphasis must not be on any one bowler but a group of bowlers put together for a particular purpose. A balanced bowling attack is essential. The collective participation of all bowlers in picking up wickets is vital to the team’s success.

As it stands, three specialist pacers and a spinner should be in place for any Test match for the West Indies. Ravi Rampaul, Fidel Edwards, Kemar Roach and Sunil Narine are the four specialist bowlers that must be in the team for the Test matches if available. The fittest and best players must be selected to represent the West Indies.