SPORTS
Jonathan Ramnansingh
MATTHEW PATRICK, 22, captain of the Flamingos, believes that the Namalco U-23 Cup serves as an ideal platform for cricketers to break into the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force squad, thereby helping their aspirations for a coveted West Indies call- up.
Patrick and his troops join three other U23 teams – the Masqueraders, the Hummingbirds and the Scarlet Ibis – for the first round of the tournament, which takes place at two venues – the Inshan Ali Park in Preysal and the National Cricket Center (NCC) in Couva . on Wednesday, from 9.30 am.
The Flamingos meet the Joshua James-led Masqueraders at Preysal while Kirstan Kallicharan’s Scarlet Ibis outfit begin their campaign against a Cephas Cooper-led Hummingbirds at the NCC.
The U-23 match is the first TT Cricket Board (TTCB) competition of the 2022-2023 season.
At his launch last Monday, TTCB president Azim Bassarath said the Red Force selectors will look at these matches in a bid to pick the best emerging talents and possibly include them in the squad of the Red Force, for the forthcoming resumption of domestic red-ball cricket. .
Patrick said the U-23 players should take advantage of this opportunity.
“It’s a good competition for the launch players because some players, who wouldn’t have been able to play in my time, at U-17 and U-19 level, are now getting a chance.
“As captain, I would like to win the tournament, but I would also like to give all the players a chance. This tournament could open the gates to Trinidad because I think Cricket West Indies also wants to host an U-23 tournament; so i want to give everyone a chance to show their talent.
“The guys that I give a chance, I want them to use it to increase their stats and profiles. Basically it’s up to them to take the chance. You never know.
“It’s just a (selector) to see (players) in this kind of scenario, which can open a door for them. You can have a good batting or bowling performance and you can be involved in the (Red Force) four-day event,” he said.
However, Patrick confirmed that he is 90 per cent fit for the tournament, having been sidelined for the past three to four months with a back injury. He has been free from therapy for the past three weeks and is still confident his side have what it takes to lift the first crown of the new season.
The Flamingos also consist of local regulars like Denzil Antoine, Shiva Sankar, Justin Manich, Crystian Thurton and Sameer Ali.
“We had a session where we met as a team. This team has guys who have been around for a long time, so it shouldn’t be hard for them to get jealous and know their roles on the team. Everyone knows what to do.
“Even though I want to give everybody a chance, we’re still going out there to play the right way and play hard cricket to come out victorious,” he added.
Meanwhile, Masqueraders captain James, whose squad also includes pacer Nicholas Elliot Jr, Chadeon Raymond, Eric Garcia and Mikkel Govia, said they are ready for the test and believes every team has an equal chance to lift the crown.
“We’ve got a good group of guys there and I think we can go and compete with any of the other three teams. “Once we have a clear plan of what we’re going to do and do it, I think we have as good a chance as any of the other three teams out there,” James said.
TEAMS –
MASQUERADERS: Joshua James (captain), Leon Bassano, Giovanni Letren, Nicholas Elliot, Gerald Chin (goalkeeper), Chadeon Raymond, Mikkel Govia, Joshua Yorke, Ezekiel Joefield, Daniel Osouna, Shiva McCoon, Joshua Garcia Dookie, E. ; Lyndon Ramanan (manager), Nisar Mohanned (coach).
Hummingbirds: Cephas Cooper (captain), Tariq Mohammed, Navin Bidaisee, Antonio Gomez (goalkeeper), Damion Joachim, Aaron Nanan, Nicholas Ali, Kyle Roopchand, Avinash Mahabirsingh, Jevon George, Vanir Maharaj, Mbeki Joseph, Chustyn Gangoo; Stephen Ramkisson (manager), Amin Forgenie (coach).
FLAMINGOS: Matthew Patrick (capt), Denzil Antoine, Daniel Ramsawak, Isaiah Ali, Aaron Bankay, Rahul Pitiram, Shiva Sankar, Justin Manick, Sameer Ali, Ryan Bandoo, Lemuel Matthews, Amrit Dass, Crystian Thurton, Kieron John; Frank Simmons (manager), Gibran Mohammed (coach).
SCARLET IBIS: Kirstan Kallicharan (captain), Leonardo Julien, Rivaldo Ramlogan, Sachin Seecharan, Nathaniel McDavid, Sachin Soodeen, Leonardo Francis, Ronaldo Forester, Zion Hackett, Andy Mahase, Giovanni Ramdenny, Anderson Mohamed A Shaza; Malcolm Ramlogan (manager), Bhoodesh Dookie (coach).
ENTERPRISE –
ROUND I – Wednesday
Hummingbirds vs Scarlet Ibis (National Cricket Centre)
Flamingo vs Masqueraders (Inshan Ali Ground)
SECOND ROUND – Friday
Scarlet Ibis vs Flamingos (National Cricket Centre)
Hummingbirds vs Masqueraders (Inshan Ali Ground)
THIRD ROUND – January 4
Scarlet Ibis vs Masqueraders (National Cricket Centre)
Flamingos vs Hummingbirds (Inshan Ali Ground)
FINAL – January 7
1st Place vs 2nd Place (National Cricket Centre)
