Twenty20 a matter of financial gain, says T&T coach

Kelvin Williams, the Trinidad and Tobago coach, is confident that his team will be well prepared for their Stanford Super Series match against Twenty20 Cup champions Middlesex on October 27. "We earned the right to play them and I am sure the guys will deliver," said Williams, who believes that the money at stake (US$400,000) will give the players something more to shoot for. "It is really a matter of demonstrating to the world that the standard of cricket in the region is on the rise.

"Twenty20 is a matter of financial gain for the guys," said Williams. "Their intensity has been higher because they can go out there and play for a couple of hours and make some real money, as opposed to the four-day game which is played for the love of the game and a chance to represent the West Indies at the international level.

"Most of these guys come from poor backgrounds and the financial rewards make it worthwhile for them and that will give them something to aim for. This is a very important game for us and I am confident in the guys."

T&T, the Stanford Twenty20 champions, were invited to play in the Stanford Super Series, which also involves England. "We are the champions of the Caribbean and they are the champions of England," said Williams. "It is the perfect opportunity to show whether we are capable of playing competitively against opponents of a first world nation who are ranked higher than us. It will be a good test for us."

T&T's last two practice matches over the weekend were washed out but the side was looking to reschedule them for Wednesday or Thursday, weather permitting. The squad for the Super Series has not been decided but Williams hinted that Daren Ganga, who led T&T to victory over Jamaica in the Stanford Twenty20 tournament earlier this year, will be the most likely choice for captain.