Staff Writer – Archi
In West Indies Cricket. West Indies batting legend Brian Lara will be travelling to India with the Trinidad and Tobago team for the Champions League Twenty20 tournament which began on Tuesday.
Although not a formal part of the team management, Lara during his visit to India, will be playing a dual role of a tourism ambassador and a mentor for the Red Force.
Keen to help the team during the competition, the former West Indies skipper said, “I am just going to be there, not a part of management but as a former cricketer I am willing to lend a hand in any way I can.
“I hope I will have a chance to interact with the guys while in India in whatever way I can help. I have always had an open door policy and I look forward to working with the guys, the management, the captain Denesh Ramdin and all the players,” he said.
As a T&T Sports Ambassador, Lara had played a similar role as unofficial adviser to the team during the recently-concluded Caribbean Premier League.
“It’s an honour to be part of the upcoming trip. I’m happy to be associated with Trinidad & Tobago’s participation. We have a team that will make us proud,” he said.
The Ministry of Tourism have sponsored the T&T team to help them prepare for the T20 tournament in India.
Denesh Ramdin-led team, which includes mystery spinner Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons and Samuel Badree, will take on the added responsibility of marketing T&T on the international stage.
Bravo was optimistic about Lara’s role within the team: “Brian’s always giving us advice as a team and individually. He also boosts my confidence as a captain and loves helping T&T cricket,” Bravo said.
