Lara looks to the heavens (7 October 1998)

7 October 1998

Lara looks to the heavens

By Garth Wattley

Last year in Jamaica, they opened against Bermuda with an easy, emphatic win. This year, Trinidad and Tobago's Red Stripe Bowl team will also open their campaign against Bermudians. And while Brian Lara's team, will be optimistic about pulling off another victory, they will be keeping an eagle eye on the weather.

According to team manager Rangy Nanan, there was rain yesterday at the Vitvlugt ground where T&T are scheduled to take on the Bermudians this morning in their Zone 1 fixture. And already the national team has seen more rain that it would like. "Yesterday (Monday) we were not able to practice because of rain at Bourda," Nanan told the Express.

Practice on Tuesday morning at Demerara also had to be called off because of rain," the T&T manager added.

The players finally had to share the Bourda ground yesterday afternoon with the Bermudians. "The important thing is the bowlers had something to do and the batsmen had a hit," Nanan said. Skipper Lara, who has not been in middle for about a month because of a sore knee, took advantage of the opportunity, having two knocks.

But while the captain, who scored a century in this corresponding game last year is apparently fit and raring to go, doubts surround the availability of middle order batsman Richard Smith. Nanan said Smith complained of feeling unwell after taking a fitness Test mandated by the West Indies Cricket board for all players selected on their representative teams.

"We'll have to decide how well he's feeling. If he has to rest, Dennis (Rampersad) will definitely play."

Whoever of Smith and Rampersad eventually does not play, he will likely be joined on the sidelines by fast bowler Marlon Black and left-arm wrist spinner Avidesh Samaroo, leg spinner Dinanath Ramnarine and orthodox left-arm spinner and hard-hitting lower-order batsman Ken Hazel being charged with the spinning duties.

Team T&T should have too much power for Bermuda. But Nanan, mindful of the way his team was robbed of a chance to decide their fate on the field last year, is keen for his side to seize ever advantage.

"It is important that we win all our games because in the semi-finals wins will be taken into account if rain intervenes."

So this morning, when the toss is spun, Lara will be looking heavenwards for more than just a shiny coin.

Trinidad and Tobago team from: Brian Lara (captain), Phil Simmons, Suruj Ragoonath, Andre Lawrence, Daren Ganga, Richard Smith, Denis Rampersad, David Williams, Ian Bishop, Mervyn Dillon, Dinanath Ramnarine, Ken Hazel, Marlon Black, Avidesh Samaroo.

Source :: The Trinidad Express (https://www.trinidad.net/express/)