West Indies v New Zealand, 1st Test, Kingston

CRICKET fans in Trinidad and Tobago are waiting with bated breath for June 16 when Trinidad and Tobago’s Denesh Ramdin leads the West Indies cricket team against the visiting New Zealanders for the first time as captain in front of his adoring home crowd at the Queen’s Park Oval, St Clair.

It will indeed be a moment to savour for the 29-year-old wicket-keeper/batsman from Preysal, central Trinidad who was only last month appointed by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to replace St Lucian Darren Sammy.

Ramdin, whose leadership qualities were long recognised by the TT Cricket Board (TTCB) and who was afforded every opportunity to develop same over the years will start his challenging assignment today in the First Test against the Kiwis at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.

Apart from joining in the celebration of Ramdin’s historic achievement, of particular local interest will be the performance of other TT cricketers who have been named on the squad for the Three Test Home Series, sponsored by Digicel, the Irish-owned telecommunications provider.

For the First Test, joining Ramdin are joined by his compatriots Darren Bravo, an exciting left handed-batsman in the mould of Brian Lara, and fast bowler Shannon Gabriel. Also expected to make the team but was omitted because of his late arrival for a pre-Test training camp was “mystery” spinner Sunil Narine.

But also in contention for Second Test selection will be brilliant allrounder Dwayne Bravo, the captain of the regional One-Day International (ODI) team.

The Kiwis have been bolstered by the arrival in the West Indies of their “heavy hitters” including captain Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson, a right-handed batsman who plays for Yorkshire in the English County Championship.

Also expected to feature prominently if New Zealand are to live up to their reputation as worthy opponents is the trio of Ross Taylor, who plays for the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel in the Caribbean Premier League T20; Corey Anderson and Tim Southee, all experienced cricketers.

Interestingly skipper McCullum’s run in the IPL ended on May 30 when the Chennai Super Kings lost to Kings XI Punjab in the semi-final of the tournament.

But in contrast to the WICB position on Narine, who decided to stay with his franchise team Kolkota Knight Riders—- eventual winners of Sunday’s final—-  the WICB has stood firm on its June 1 deadline to join the WI team while McCullum was given permission to miss the New Zealand’s final warm-up before the First Test.

The TTCB has also announced that tickets for the Second Test, priced at $50 each, have already gone on sale at the box office at the Queen’s Park Oval.

benn really bowling well

Finally a balanced attack. Sammy really messed up the makeup of the team. Welcome back Roach Taylor and Benn

lunch kiwis pegged down