Experienced spinner Imran Khan has been appointed captain of the Red Force senior men’s team for the first two matches of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Four-Day Tournament.

Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) senior team selectors also named wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva as vice-captain in the 15-man squad.

Long-standing TT players Shannon Gabriel, Jason Mohammed and Yannic Cariah were also named in the team.

They are backed by a youthful attack of Jayden Seales and Jeremy Solozano alongside Kirstan Kallicharan and Jyd Goolie, who were chosen by the Red Force in the CWI Professional Players Draft for the 2021/2022 season last year.

Read more at T&T Newsday

Full Story

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

What happen to Ramdin?

Khan and Mohammed should've been phased out, never gonna be Test players and on the wrong side of 30. Plus there contributions in the last few seasons hasn't been standing out.

Ramdin should've led the youthful squad or maybe Da Silva as the skipper.

Pierre and Charles doesn't impress me as wicket taking spinners, shame they haven't been giving anyone else a chance.

Seales, Phillip and Gabriel is a solid pace trio.
Silva, Simmons and Kallicharan exciting young batting trio.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

This is a good squad with a nice mix of youths and experienced players. Good that Khan took the mantle of captaincy given than the other seniors who are good as or better than him have shown no interest. Ramdin's refusal seems to suggest he is done with long form cricket and perhaps he is looking to becoming a short form player only. Whatever he decides, best of luck to him, but he remains the best gloveman and an astute captain and tactician and he will be missed but his wishes must be respected.

With so many emerging young players in the squad, Jason's inclusion will go a long way in helping these youths to get settled in. He is well respected by these young players.

With DaSilva in the team, it is a good they see him an emerging talent and not the finish product. He has a long way to go and too much responsibility at this point can only drag him down.

Kharry Pierre now has a full opportunity to showcase his talent- he is as talented as his soul brother Akeal but hasn't really given the full go to compete.

I am glad Pierre is getting a chance in FC cricket and Andy should look at Charles statistics. They are actually quite decent and i think he has made tue WI A team already. This TT squad looks quite decent even if we all would like to see Lewis, Bravo and Pooran in it. I wish them well.

In reply to Andy99

Joshua Da Silva
You guys go for names, instead of position and age.

In reply to VoopsandOut

I've been following these guys for all of their senior career, I know them quite well and you don't have to talk to me about stats.

Khary Pierre is 30 years old now, has been around for a while now, in 17 FC matches he has shown nothing to suggest he is going to be a potential star at this level.

Charles bowling stats are quite horrible for a spinner in WI domestic cricket so idk what you're talking about and he has a decent run at this level, 27 matches.
Look at the top 3 guys Permaul, Motie and Warrican, Charles averages about 10 runs per wicket more than them, that is damning.
I want guys who can compete with the best at this level, not guys who are average.

In reply to openning

READ

In reply to Andy99
I am not going to upset my Trini brother this evening, but having Jason Mohammed in that squad, no need to go for a 37 yrs old Khan.
There has to be a few young spinners in T&T.

In reply to Andy99

Good squad !
For a couple years now I have been calling for both Kallicharran and Simmons to be included .
These two youngsters were outstanding U19 players .Simmons an opener represented T&T before and scored I think 90’s and was dropped when the stars returned .
Kallicharran an exciting batsman and a more than useful leggie .

In reply to Andy99

Nevertheless, they may be the best available in TnT and as both have been considered for regional teams, maybe they are not so bad in any event by WI standards. Is Hinds a seamer or spinner? Didnt he get a FC ton a couple years ago?

In reply to VoopsandOut

I think he bowls medium/medium-fast.

In reply to openning

That is my point, these guys have no chances of making the WI Test team and are not out standing FC class players (Khan not anymore, Jason never was) and they are on the wrong side of 30, so why waste spots on them?

In reply to Massy

I'm happy they are in, hope they grab the opportunity.

In reply to VoopsandOut

Thats my problem with T&T cricket, they refuse to give certain players a run in the team and especially if you're not from QPCC, its hard to get into the set up.
The spinners who has gotten atleast 3 FC games in the last 3 or 4 seasons would be Charles, Hosein, Pierre and Khan.
Why not try someone else, is my point, there's so much of spinners on the local scene.

In reply to Andy99

I agree with you that the best should be given an opportunity. unfortunately, I am no longer based in TnT and cannot follow local league cricket from abroad so I cannot offer an opinion whether there is any other talent that should be given a chance.

If T&T are unable to include younger capable players, then it should be a matter of concern with TTCB and their current system.

It is a known fact but unfortunate if you are not from QPCC it is very difficult to represent your country.

Im not a resident of T&T anymor but a Trini and a West Indian but love the sport and do travel to my TT often enough to see all formats of the sport. I'm also a cricket coach and did some commentary as well. So I think I know a thing or two but not everything. This is just my opinion.

In reply to azadtnt

Thanks, Azad. Your and Andy's point was about QPCC was being made decades ago. It will be sad if that has not changed. With all the social problems we have in TnT, a vibrant sporting community where good mentorship is always available is one of the best means of addressing the problems with the young generation. People may remember the days of Eddie Hart football league and Central St George Football League and so many other avenues whereby young energies could be harvested for good. Also the newspapers reported full scorecards of club cricket and of all those football leagues which must have been positive for those guys who devoted their weekends to the sport to get some recognition by their peers and public. Not even sure if (leaving aside Covid) there is that interest and participation anymore or if all energies are simply put to pursuing the art of living large.

In reply to VoopsandOut

Khan is from the Central and plays for Comets. The TTCB is made up of anti-QPCC people and it has been a long while since QP ruled the roost.

I agree more youngsters are needed but where can they be found? Grass root level participation is dying. Place like Felicity and Laventille perhaps don't know about cricket anymore?

In reply to Emir

perhaps it is for the established clubs to go out and see if they can harvest young players and bring them into the fold. Are they still around? Malvern, Maple, Harvard, Police and the like?

Was Joshua James in the mix ?

He had a productive club season in England particularly with the bat ( he’s a pace bowling all rounder)

Was hoping for him to develop.

Was Joshua James in the mix ?

He had a productive club season in England particularly with the bat ( he’s a pace bowling all rounder)

Was hoping for him to develop.

Bowling looking good on paper.

Jayden Seales, Shannon Gabriel, Anderson Phillip
Imran Khan, Khary Pierre

Anderson Phillip is one to watch this season.

In reply to Andy99
When I left TT all those years ago QPCC players always got selected before others.

In reply to VIX

He is one who had done pretty well in FC cricket but barely anyone talks about him.
As for the spinners, I have no faith based on recent years but the pace bowling should be pretty good.