T&T Red Force will get a boost today with the return of West Indies wicket keeper Denesh Ramdin when they take on the ICC Americas in their fifth preliminary round match of the Nagico Super50 series at the Queen’s Park Oval from 1.30 p.m. Already into the semi-finals, the Red Force will look to keep up their winning ways.
Red Force have won three of their four matches, with one game rained out and are at the top of the standings in Group A with 17 points. Ramdin is expected to replace Uthman Mohammed while Steven Katwaroo, who has been enjoying a fine tournament behind the stumps will remain.
News coming out of the T&T camp is that centurion Evin Lewis who retired after guiding T&T to a commanding seven-wicket win over Jamaica Scorpions on Tuesday will be back to continue his role. Lewis suffered from cramps after blasting his way to 102. Looking ahead to today’s clash, skipper Jason Mohammed says it is important to keep winning.
“We need to keep the momentum going, it is important to win. Everyone understands that we can’t take things for granted, we need to continue winning because this is a game that can change quickly on you.”
The ICC Americas have not won a game so far and have two points from their four games courtesy an abandonment against the Red Force in Tobago. Mohammed is hoping to keep them winless :”We are not going to take them lightly. They have not won a game and we would like to keep it that way.” Mohammed says he is happy with his team :”Not many people gave us a chance to reach the semis in this tournament because we were missing several senior players. However, the young players have really come forward.
The energy has been great among them and the focus is there, which has been the key. It is pleasing to see the young guys stepping up. they need to continue playing the way they are, so that we keep winning.”
Senior middle order batsman Darren Bravo will be absent today but is expected to join the team on the weekend.
TEAMS
Red Force: Jason Mohammed (captain), Uthman Mohammed, Narsingh Deonarine, Rayad Emrit, Kyle Hope, Akeal Hosein, Denesh Ramdin, Jon Russ Jagesar, Steven Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Kjorn Ottley, Yannick Ottley, Marlon Richards, Philton Williams.
ICC Americas: Ravindu Gunasekera, Alex Amsterdam, Ali khan, Timroy Allen, Daniel Ahmed, Navneet Dhaliwal, Akeem Dodson, Jeremy Gordon, Hamza Tariq, Nitish Kumar, Mohammed Ghous, Timmil Patel, Hammad Shahid, Stephen Taylor and Srimantha Wijeratne.