Cricket West Indies (CWI) has approved a request from the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) for the inaugural Namalco Under-23 cricket series which will bowl off tomorrow at two venues in Trinidad.
This was announced by the chairman of the TTCB marketing committee Rajendra Mangalie on Tuesday.
Four zonal teams — North, Central, South and East/Tobago will vie for the title in this 50 overs tournament. According to Mangalie: "We are very happy with the fact that Cricket West Indies (CWI) has approved this tournament. We think that this age group is critical because we tend to lose too many cricketers at this period. We have cricketers making the national U-19 and senior teams and the others fall by the wayside. We want to give them another chance by staging tournaments like these. Here they can address the national selectors and get called to trials with the hope that they can go on to make the T&T Red Force team."
Mangalie just weeks into the position as chairman of the marketing committee and he has already brought investment into the cricket according to TTCB president Azim Bassarath. "Mangalie has shown that he can make things happen and I am very impressed with his work so far."
Mangalie the former national cricketer said he would like to thank fellow committee member Sudesh Jaggessar for his work in getting Namalco on board for this tournament. "Jaggie has been hard at work and this committee is serious about getting the funding to take T&T cricket forward."
FIXTURES
Thursday Dec 5
North Masqueraders vs. Central Flamingos East/Tobago Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
Leatherbacks vs South Pavers at National Cricket Centre.
Sunday Dec 8
North Masqueraders vs. South Pavers East/Tobago at BLCA
Leatherbacks vs. Central Flamingos at NCC
Wednesday Dec 11
South Pavers vs. Central Flamingos at BLCA.
East/Tobago Leatherbacks vs. North Masqueraders at NCC.
Saturday 14
Finals at BLCA