Trinidad and Tobago will host Barbados in the Regional Four-Day Tournament semi-final from March 30 to April 2 at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, despite finishing two points behind the Bajans in the final standings.
This was confirmed yesterday by Patrick Rampersad, co-chairman of the T&T Cricket Board International and Regional matches committee.
Barbados finished the group stage in second place on 48 points, which gives them the right to host the semi-final against third place Trinidad and Tobago.
But Rampersad pointed out that because Barbados will be hosting the second Digicel Twenty20 International between West Indies and Australia on Friday (March 30), T&T will get home advantage for the “semi”.
As outlined in the Regional Four-Day Tournament competition format: “The right to host this semi-final shall be awarded to the second highest placed regional team in the group stage of the tournament. In the event that there is an international match being played in the territory with the right to host the semi-final, the other competing team shall host the semi-final.”
Jamaica, who topped the standings with a maximum 72 points from six matches, host fourth place Guyana (39 points) at Sabina Park in the other semi-final.
Trinidad and Tobago team manager Omar Khan is happy with how things worked out and says the players are confident of defeating Barbados this time around.
“We are happy to be at home at the Oval and where our team will know the conditions. The players are very confident and we are looking forward to the match,” Khan told the Express yesterday.
Khan also noted that West Indies opener Adrian Barath will be available for the semi-final clash and that his inclusion will boost T&T’s batting.
Barbados defeated Trinidad and Tobago in the preliminary phase of the tournament at Kensington Oval in February, thanks to some aggressive fast bowling from Fidel Edwards, Kemar Roach and Tino Best.
Two T&T players were injured in that match, including opening batsmen Lendl Simmons and Barath.
Barath made a successful return to action during Trinidad and Tobago’s win over the Windward Islands in the sixth round of the four-day tournament, which ended on March 19 at the Oval.
He slammed a century in that match and was subsequently called up to the West Indies team for the final two ODIs against Australia.
Barath was not included in the Windies Twenty20 squad and Khan said the opener should be available for T&T.
Also likely to return is fast bowler Ravi Rampaul, who had a solid outing for his club PowerGen Penal in the domestic two-day competition over the weekend, when he scored 70 runs and took two for 48 from 15 overs.
Former captain Daren Ganga also put his name up for consideration, scoring 80 and 58 not out for Alescon Comets last weekend.
“We look forward to the return of the international players. I think Ravi (Rampaul), once he is fit, the selectors will give him some consideration and it is good to see him coming back. It is definitely a plus. They will add their experience and value to the team,” said Khan.
Chairman of T&T selectors Dudnath Ramkessoon said the national squad for the semi-final would be finalised today.
Ramkessoon said Rampaul would be considered having played over the weekend.
He also noted that Simmons would not be available and that he is expecting to get an update on injured skipper and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin today before the squad is finalised.
(Source http://www.trinidadexpress.com/sports/T_T_to_host_Barbados_in_regional_semi-final-144314735.html)
