Allrounder Jason Mohammed, who was outstanding in the finals of the Nagico Super 50 series, will lead an inexperienced T&T Red Force against the Windward Islands as fifth round matches in the WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament opens today.
Mohammed, whose allround performance took T&T to the title, takes over from an injured Rayad Emrit. The T&T team has also been depleted by the absence of five other senior players for different reasons.
Dwayne Bravo has retired while Ravi Rampaul and Keiron Pollard are both injured as well as Sunil Narine and Kevon Cooper as T&T look towards the young players in their battle at the picturesque Beausejour Cricket Ground at Gros-Islet in, St Lucia.
T&T's title winning exploits will create renewed interest in this clash. Both teams need all the points they could acquire to get things back on track if they are to make a late charge for the title, but the hosts will be looking to bring the visitors back to the reality of the longer version of the domestic game.
Neither side has distinguished themselves this season, frittering away promising positions against opponents.
The Red Force have generally dominated over the last decade, but the Volcanoes can take comfort in the knowledge that they have won two of the last three matches between the sides.
The return of veteran left-hander Devon Smith from the West Indies' tour of South Africa as one of three changes to the Volcanoes' line-up will add substance to their batting, while the inclusion of fast bowler Shannon Gabriel as one of a similar number of changes to the Red Force's squad will give their attack an edge.
In other matches second-placed Jamaica Franchise will host current leaders Guyana Jaguars in the key match of the round at Sabina Park.
Current form suggests this contest could go either way, but history strongly favours the home team � only once have the Jaguars beaten them in the last ten years.
squads
T&T RED FORCE : Jason Mohammed (Cpt), Yannic Cariah, Derone Davis, Shannon Gabriel, Akeal Hosein, Steven Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, , Kjorn Ottley, Yannick Ottley, Marlon Richards, Jeremy Solozano.
WINDWARD ISLANDS VOLCANOES: Liam Sebastian (Cpt), Sunil Ambris, Alston Bobb, Johnson Charles, Craig Emmanuel, Andre Fletcher, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Mervin Matthew, Kenroy Peters, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyrone Theophile.
UMPIRES: Lennox Abraham, Verdayne Smith (Jamaica)
MATCH REFEREE: Patrick Felix
RESERVE UMPIRE: Francis Maurice
standings
FRANCHISES PTS M W L T I A DP MR BAT BOWL
Guyana 57 4 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 9 12
Jaguars
Jamaica 50 4 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 9
Franchise
Barbados 44 4 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 4 10
Pride
Windwards 26 4 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 5 9
Volcanoes
T&T 24 4 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 9
Red Force
Leewards 10 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 9
Hurricanes?