PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – National selectors have called up the trio of Richard Kelly, Imran Khan and Amit Jaggernauth in a 19-man squad named to prepare for the WICB President’s Cup later this month.
The three players, who missed out on selection for the Twenty20 Champions League which bowled off in India yesterday, will now get a chance to make the final 14-man squad for the October 28 to November 5 tournament.
The national cricketers will now have a chance to represent this country in the regional President’s Cup, carded to get under way on October 28 in Guyana.
They joined the other selectees on Tuesday at the National Cricket Centre to continue their build-up for the regional tournament.
Batsman Tishan Maraj, who has not played for T&T for three years because of medical studies, has also been named in the training squad.
T&T Cricket Board president Deryck Murray told CMC Sports the selected players for the exception of Maraj had been in training since June with an eye on the Champions League, the President’s Cup and a possible Twenty20 tournament later this year.
“We have had these players in different training camps since June because we were preparing for the regional season,” said Murray.
“This means that they should be in good condition to play cricket and join in with the other players currently in India, for the tournament in Guyana.”
With the T&T team expected to return from India on October 24, Murray said the final squad would not be named as yet, adding that the TTCB would also wait on a deadline date from the WICB.
“This would give the guys down here ample time to state a case for selection,” said the former West Indies vice-captain.
Maraj, meanwhile, has not played plenty cricket of recent because of his medical studies but with these having ended, he has indicated his availability.
The 24-year-old, right-hander made his debut four years ago against Barbados and Murray said his inclusion had given him a chance to stake his claim again.
“Tishan has played for Trinidad and Tobago before and he was out of the game because of his studies but has now indicated that he is ready for cricket,” Murray explained.
“We took into consideration that he was a national player before and hence he was given the chance to fight for a place.”
Maraj is now a qualified medical doctor.
SQUAD – Gibran Mohammed, Shannon Gabriel, Atiba Alert, Magnum Nanan, Imran Khan, Amit Jaggernauth, Richard Kelly, Justin Guillen, Daron Cruickshank, Kevon Cooper, Mario Belcon, Nicholas Ramjass, Rishi Bachan, Dane Teelucksingh, Rishaad Harris, Deepak Kumar, Nicholas Sookdeosingh, Jason Mohammed, Tishan Maraj.