PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Trinidad & Tobago are likely to face regional rivals Barbados, Jamaica, and Guyana before leaving for the Champions League Twenty20 later this year. The T&T Cricket Board is hoping to invite the three regional sides for a four-nation series from August 19 to 21 at the Queen’s Park Oval.
“The event has not been finalised just yet, but we are looking to make this part of our preparations as we head off to India for the Champions League qualifiers,” said T&T manager Omar Khan.
The series would be played as a round-robin tournament, and Khan is looking forward to having his players face their regional counterparts.
“We are looking for meaningful practice ahead of the series, and we thought that having Barbados, Guyana, and Jamaica here would really test our players,” he said.
“We are hoping to have all the regional stars available for this tournament because the West Indies team is not on tour, and the players would be available to take part.”
“Having the regional players in the tournament will bring the crowds out, and it will also serve as an opportunity for the local fans to see our players before they fly out to India for the Champions League.”
The national team will be flying out soon to Canada to play that country and Afghanistan in a three-way series, also as part of their preparations for the tournament.
Meanwhile, there is still no word on whether national stars Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard would be available for the CLT20 qualifiers.
Khan said the T&TCB has been in talks with the players and they are yet to report their availability.
Checks with Chairman of the National Selection Panel Dudnath Ramkessoon revealed that the T&TCB has been in contact with officials of the CLT20, and they are awaiting word on whether Pollard and Bravo can take part.
Both players missed the Caribbean Twenty20 tournament, which T&T won to qualify for the CLT20.