vinode.mamchan@guardian.co.tt
Left-handed batsman Jeremy Solozano continued his excellent form yesterday as he scored 125 for the Yannic Cariah XI against the Imran Khan XI on the opening day of the national team practice match at the National Cricket Centre in Couva.
Solozano who scored 194 in one of the trial matches batted beautifully in getting 125, as his team finished the day on 286/6. He faced 217 balls in 300 minutes of concentration, hitting 11 fours and a six. Also among the runs was hard hitting all rounder Tion Webster who ended the day unbeaten on 62. He faced 71 balls and struck six fours and four sixes. His fellow Parkite Joshua Da Silva was also in fine form getting 37. Skipper Cariah got 21 in the middle batting with Solozano.
Spinners held away for Imran Khan's team as Bryan Charles took 3/68 and Merryboys spinner Rishi Jaipaul took 3/68. Play on the second day today begins at 10 am.
Meanwhile, Red Force which is led by Imran Khan will go into action on Thursday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.
The regional tournament got underway yesterday across the region but the Red Force game against Jamaica was postponed until March next year because of the unavailability of a First match playing ground in Trinidad for various reasons.
Both the Cricket Academy in San Fernando and the Queen's Park Oval in the Capital City are undergoing restoration works to their outfield and was unavailable for the opening round.
Given the adverse weather conditions experienced in November, the delay has worked in favour of the Red Force, as now they have some extra days to prepare for their first game. Coach of the team Kelvin Williams appreciates this: "I would say that the extra time will work in our favour because of the bad weather we had during preparations. These days we are having fantastic weather and the boys are working very hard. We have been able to go outdoors and do match simulation exercises and this is critical. Two days last weekend we were able to get out there from 10 am to 3 pm, doing match simulation and this I am sure has benefited the players."
According to Williams: "We have a chance to get in some wonderful days of cricket this weekend and we intend to maximise that. These guys are eager to hit the park and if is fortunate that they are getting great weather to come out and practice. We are looking for to some good performances this weekend, as we build up to that opening game against the Windwards in South next week. Remember, the Windwards will be coming here with a game under their belts, so it is important that the players show great intensity in their practice game and try to get as close to game readiness as they could."
The Red Force finished bottom of the table last season and can only improve this year. "The confidence of the boys is up there, as this is the first game and they can start fresh and I am sincerely hoping that they can go out there and grasp this opportunity that is being presented to them to play for the country."
SUMMARISED SCORES
CARIAH’S XI 286/6 (Jeremy Solozano 125, Tion Webster 62no, Joshua Da Silva 37, Yannic Cariah 21, Bryan Charles 3/68, Rishi Jaipaul 3/68) vs IMRAN KHAN’S XI.