There is a buzz around the PowerGen Penal Sports Club camp as the defending champions prepare for the resumption of red-ball club cricket after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
PowerGen coach Gibran Mohammed expressed excitement for the upcoming season which will start in early February and gave a gentle reminder that they are in fact still defending champions in the red ball game.
PowerGen won the Premier Division One red ball title in 2019 and retained it after the 2020 season ended prematurely due to the pandemic.
There was no competition in 2021 and 2022, however a full red-ball season is planned for 2023, with top-flight clubs competing in a two-day/three-day league, a 50-over competition and a tournament T20.
The League competition will see the top eight clubs compete in three three-day matches and four two-day matches.
The tournament opens on February 3 with three-day matches, while other three-day matches are scheduled for March 3-5 and 24-26.
The PowerGen coach said the three-day matches will be tough but “it’s definitely a step in the right direction”.
The former Trinidad and Tobago wicketkeeper added: “It’s going to be a challenge for most clubs and for the players as well, but I think if we want our cricket to improve and keep growing, I think that’s the way to go.”
Mohammed said the gradual introduction of the three-day format is a good transition strategy, rather than having all the games over three days, all at once.
“I think it will allow the clubs and the players to get a feel for it and we will give it a go and see how it goes.
“We’re up and we’re ready and we’re growing to go. We will make the small sacrifice and the players will understand that it is for their further development and cricket as a whole, so everyone is on board and looking forward to this format.
“We haven’t played it for a while so we’re really looking forward to this tournament and this season and hopefully things go our way.”
Looking ahead, Mohammed explained that the Penal-based club have had a busy off-season, running youth academies and development programmes, all of which were geared towards preparing some of the youngest players for international cricket. the senior team.
The PowerGen coach said he was looking to build a team for the future and sees the 2023 season as a good chance to give some young players a chance.
“We’re the defending champions, so I think we’ve identified a few things to try to keep filtering players into our senior team,” Mohammed said.
“We’re looking to play a lot of new players this year and build a good team for the future and move forward with that. We want to give a lot of opportunities to the players,” he said.
Mohammed continued: “Our preparations have gone well and some boys have been involved in the national squad and we have also done a lot of personal work at home at our club so we are looking forward to this season.”
“We will have some new players but I feel like the core of the team, the Cooper brothers, Ewart Nicholson and our two main spinners Ancil (Bhagan) and Kanta (Kavesh Kantasingh) are still there. Around them, we have a lot of young and exciting players coming through like young Ryan Bandoo, (left-arm spinner) and (Damion) Joachim.”
Asked about Bandoo’s rise through the club’s ranks, Mohammed said the Chinese footballer came to PowerGen at a very young age and they did some technical work with him.
“It’s just a matter of him (and the other young players) now getting that opportunity on a consistent basis to keep playing to try and cement a place in the team.
“He (Bandoo) has so much potential and is also in the national senior (training) team squad, so we are looking for big things from him,” Mohammed added.
PowerGen was also home to dynamic cinematographer Dave “Tadpole” Mohammed.
PowerGen will open the domestic season on February 3 against rivals Clarke Road United in the Penal Derby, which will be played at Syne Village in Penal.
Other Premiership One round one fixtures will see Central Sports host Victoria United at Felicity, Queen’s Park Cricket Club 1 take on Preysal Sports at Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair and Comets Sports v Queen’s Park 2 at Pierre Road in Charlieville.
