Rampaul back for Barbados

Pacer Ravi Rampaul is fit and is back on the T&T Cricket team to face Barbados in their next fixture at Kensington Oval in Barbados from February 16 to 19. Rampaul missed the opening win against the Combined Campuses and Colleges also in Barbados last week because of an injured ankle. However, the spearhead of the T&T attack is 100 per cent fit and ready to go, according to chief selector Dudnath Ramkessoon. “Ravi has gotten ample time to rest the injury and he is ready for action again. He has been bowling really well for quite some time and we are hoping he continues this form in this all important clash,” said Ramkisson. While, Rampaul is back, former skipper Daren Ganga is still out with injury. Ramkessoon explained that Ganga was still not 100 per cent fit after his back strain injury. “He has been playing some 50 overs cricket but according to a report from his physiotherapist Dr Oba Gulston, he is not ready yet for the rigours of four-day cricket.”

 

Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo are not on the team because they, together with all rounder Kevon Cooper have left to play in the Bangladesh Premier League T20. Queen’s Park captain Justin Guillen has been drafted in to replace Pollard. “Justin comes in to replace Pollard and we hope that all the young players who are getting a chance will grab the opportunity and make best use. “We are also hoping that the senior players on the team play to their potential in order to make up for the loss of the other players. The team has been very successful lately. They have kept up the level of enthusiasm they had at the Regional T20 cricket series and this is good. They continue to fight and we are looking for another win against the Barbadians.” “This team has the capability to win matches and hence we are expecting them to do that. We have been without the regional four-day title for quite a while and we are hoping that this season is ours. The boys have been working hard and I sincerely hope they reap the rewards,” Ramkissoon added.

 

Squad

Denesh Ramdin (captain), Lendl Simmons, Adrian Barath, Justin Guillen, Darren Bravo, Jason Mohammed, Imran Khan, Rayad Emrit, Sunil Narine, Shannon Gabriel, Ravi Rampaul, Atiba Allert and Yannick Cariah.

The officials are: Omar Khan (Manager), Kelvin Williams (Coach).