T&T Red Force has been boosted by the return of West Indies middle order batsman Darren Bravo for its Nagico Super50 clash against the Barbados Pride at the Queen’s Park Oval today, starting at 1.30 pm.
Red Force is at the top of the Group A standings with 22 points from their five matches. While the game will be of academic interest to T&T, the Barbadians are in a do-or- die situation, as they have to defeat the locals to move into the semi-finals.
Pride has 14 points and the Jamaican Scorpions have 10. However, the Scorpions will face ICC Americas today in their final game of the prelims at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Couva, and they are more than likely to defeat the winless guests. The Jamaicans will hope that T&T defeat Pride and they must also get a bonus point against ICC Americas to move on in the tournament.
T&T manager Roland Sampath says the Red Force will be giving no favours to the Pride.
“We have great momentum at this point in time and no one wants to lose a match before moving into a knockout stage. We are boosted by the return of West Indies player Darren Bravo and we are going all out for a win. The players are currently at the Oval working very hard and everyone here wants to do well for the Red Force and make sure we continue the winning ways.”
Fast bowler Philton Williams makes way for Bravo.
Barbados on the other hand will be confident they can defeat the home team and stop their unbeaten run, as they easily took care of Jamaica in their last encounter at the NCC on Friday. West Indies captain Jason Holder is at the helm of a team that has been boosted by his return, as well as the return of another six West Indies players in the form of Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich, Carlos Brathwaite, Miguel Cummins and Jomel Warrican.
TEAMS
T&T Red Force: Jason Mohammed (captain), Narsingh Deonarine, Rayad Emrit, Kyle Hope, Akeal Hosein, Darren Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Jon Russ Jagesar, Steven Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Kjorn Ottley, Yannick Ottley and Marlon Richards.
Barbados Pride: Jason Holder (Captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Kevin Stoute, Shamarh Brooks, Dwayne Smith, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich, Carlos Brathwaite, Sulieman Benn, Ashley Nurse, Jomel Warrican and Miguel Cummins.
LATEST STANDINGS
Group A
Team Points
Red Force 22
Pride 14
Scorpions 10
Americas 2
Group B
Jaguars 14
Volcanoes 14
Marooners 9
Hurricanes 6