Trinidad and Tobago has announced its 14-man squad for the upcoming regional T20 tournament, featuring Joshua Da Silva and Cephas Cooper. The draft, held on February 24, resulted in a strong emphasis on bolstering the pace attack, while maintaining a focus on younger players under the age of 30. The tournament is designed to enhance the development of T20 talent in the region, with matches scheduled at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
Trinidad and Tobago has finalized a 14-man squad for the upcoming regional Twenty/20 tournament, provisionally set for April 25 to May 9, with West Indies wicket-keeper/batsman Joshua Da Silva and opener Cephas Cooper among the selections. The draft for this tournament took place on February 24, with the team, known as TT Legions, emphasizing the strengthening of their pace attack as they transitioned from the initial protected picks.
The seven protected players selected prior to the draft include notable names such as Navin Bidaisee, Jyd Goolie, CPL champion Mikkel Govia, Joshua James, Kamil Pooran, Crystian Thurton, and Amir Jangoo. Jangoo recently made appearances for the Windies in both One-day internationals and Tests in late 2022 and early 2023.
In addition to Da Silva and Cooper, the TT squad also features all-rounder Damion Joachim and seamers McKenny Clarke, Johann Layne, Shaaron Lewis, and Abdul-Raheem Toppin. Clarke and Layne, each aged 21, bring their experience from the CPL, having played for St Lucia Kings and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots respectively. Lewis, a 26-year-old left-arm pacer, previously took Jangoo’s wicket during the CP season.
Details following the draft have been sparse; however, a TT official has confirmed the selected players. Further deliberations by CWI officials about the tournament were scheduled for February 27. The matches are set to occur at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, with representation from five other territorial boards.
Each team in the tournament will consist of 14 players, all under the age of 30 by the tournament’s conclusion. Teams can select three players aged 27 to 29, with TT naming Goolie, Pooran, and Jangoo. An additional requirement mandates that at least one of the seven protected players be a wrist-spinner, fulfilled by Leg-spinner Bidaisee.
To be eligible for participation, players must have fewer than ten T20 international caps and 40 List A T20 matches. Each team is required to include a minimum of two overseas players. The absence of seamers Jayden Seales and Anderson Phillip, who are committed to English County Championship contracts during this period, was noted by TT Red Force coach Rayad Emrit.
Emrit commented on the significance of the tournament, suggesting that the lack of existing platforms for developing T20 talent in the region necessitated such an initiative. He expressed the belief that extending the age range for player selection to 25-30 could better accommodate the region’s developmental timelines.
In summary, Trinidad and Tobago has established a strong squad for the new regional T20 tournament, with key players such as Joshua Da Silva and Cephas Cooper among the selections. The emphasis on young talent and pace attack enhancement reflects the team’s strategic focus. Notably, the tournament aims to foster the development of T20 players in the region and provide a platform for emerging talent.
Original Source: newsday.co.tt
