Ganga looks for a repeat of 2004

Daren Ganga, the Trinidad and Tobago captain, has said that his side will be hard-pressed to repeat their last year's performance at the 2005 President's Cup. The regional one-day cricket tournament begins on Monday, October 3, when T&T, the defending champs, face the Windward Islands.

"We know that it's not going to be easy," Ganga said. "They know we're defending champions and a lot of teams like Barbados and Jamaica, they have a score to settle as well." T&T - without West Indies players Brian Lara, Dwayne Bravo, Mervyn Dillon and Ravi Rampaul - swiped the title a year ago from more highly-favoured teams.

Lara will again be missing due to commitments with the World team in the Super Series in Australia. But the squad will have Bravo, Dillon and Rampaul. Ganga said Bravo, who turns 22 on Friday (October 7), will be a key player. "He highlights all the different aspects of cricket. He's somebody who is very exciting when he's on the field."

Jamaica, boasting eight players with international experience, are expected to be the principal challengers. Wavell Hinds, their captain, who was part of an equally powerful team that failed to reach the semifinals last year, said he is eager not to let that happen again. "We have quite a few exciting cricketers in our squad and some pretty experienced international cricketers," Hinds said. "So we're looking to put it together for our country."

Hinds said batting is Jamaica's strength, though the loss of fast bowlers Jermaine Lawson and Jerome Taylor from injuries set back the bowling. But he expected a lift from Daren Powell, who played for West Indies last season, and offspinning allrounders Gareth Breese and Marlon Samuels.

Hinds expected Samuels to be the star of the tournament. "I don't like to single out players, but certainly you can't overlook the exciting talent of Samuels," Hinds said. "He has gotten into his groove and is pretty much a more mature player to date."

Hosts Barbados and Guyana are again contenders for the title. Courtney Browne, the Barbados captain, believes his team can overcome a scratchy preparation period to mount a realistic challenge. "We've been playing together as a unit for a while now," said Browne, a 35-year-old former West Indies wicketkeeper. "Hopefully, with the experience in the team, we will be able to do a good job."

Browne said the squad would include seasoned batsman Floyd Reifer, who returned to competitive cricket recently after a nasty collision when fielding in last year's President's Cup semifinal against Trinidad and Tobago. The 33-year-old Reifer, who recovered from a badly damaged shoulder and nose, and fast bowler Tino Best are two players Browne expects to lead the challenge.

Injury to Pedro Collins forced Barbados to make a last-minute change. Collins, the experienced left-arm fast bowler, who has been a member of the Barbados team for eight years, will be replaced by his younger brother Fidel Edwards. Joel Garner, the chairman of selectors for Barbados, said that the decision was made after Collins broke down in a warm-up match during the West Indies team camp. "Even though Pedro is a key player, we know Fidel can do the job."