Ganga to lead Trinidad and Tobago

Daren Ganga will lead Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) in the Stanford 20/20 Tournament, which has a grand prize of US$1 million at stake. Ganga will have the services of West Indies team-mate, wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, who almost inspired the West Indies to an unlikely victory in the fourth Test against India in Jamaica earlier this month.

Discarded West Indies pacer Mervyn Dillon will also get an opportunity to shine for his country as he will be leading the T&T bowling attack, which also features allrounder Rayad Emrit and spinner Ken Hazel.

The squad has a good balance of youth and experience, including newcomer Sean Siloch, who was vice-captain of the Presentation College Secondary Schools Cricket League championship team of 2000, which also featured opener Tishan Maraj. Siloch has also played a big part in the success of top National Cricket League club FCB Clarke Road United.

The T&T team will also be strengthened with the return of former West Indies one-day specialist batsman Ricardo Powell, who is set to make his comeback after injury. West Indies Under-19 batsman and vice-captain William Perkins will be seeking to establish himself as a solid bat in the middle order after his exploits at the U-19 World Cup earlier this year.

Kieron Pollard, another U-19 player, will get the chance to impress with his consistent batting and handy right-arm spin bowling. Pollard will be in action along with his team-mate, Mario Belcon, both members of the triumphant Trinidad and Tobago squad who captured the Under-19 Challenge last year. Other members of the national team include Shazam Babwah, Samuel Badree and Nicholas Ramjas, the offspinner.

Trinidad and Tobago open their campaign against the Cayman Islands on July 25 in Antigua.

Squad: Daren Ganga (capt), Sean Siloch, Ricardo Powell, Samuel Badree, Nicholas Ramjas, Mervyn Dillon, Denesh Ramdin (wk), William Perkins, Shazam Babwah, Kieron Pollard, Rayad Emrit, Ken Hazel, Mario Belcon
Manager - Omar Khan Coach - David Williams

Cricinfo adds:
Ricardo Powell and Rayad Emritt took T&T to a seven-wicket win over St Lucia in the second of two practice matches at the Beausejoir Stadium. Powell, who recently announced his return from injury and a self-imposed break from the game, made 48 and Emrit an unbeaten 54 as T&T chased down 116 for the loss of just three wickets in 13.5 overs. The two added 87 for the second wicket to get their side off to a perfect start ahead of the Stanford 20/20 tournament.