Williams upbeat about T&T's chances this season

Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) enter this season's Carib Beer Series as defending champions, but coach Kelvin Williams does not feel the pressure of expectations.

"I just want to continue the success of the team," he said, noting that there will be big gaps to fill in the squad.

T&T will be without the services of Daren Ganga, Dwayne Bravo and Denesh Ramdin, all on tour with the West Indies in South Africa, and Williams believes that "We will have to use what we have.

"Yes we will be missing these guys but the players coming in to replace them have to realise the role they have to play," said Williams, who is filling in for David Williams, appointed West Indies' assistant coach.

"Everyone plays important roles in the squad and I think the senior guys will have to encourage the younger ones to perform and bring their game to the level required."

Bad weather has hampered T&T's preparations for their first match against Guyana on January 4 Williams thinks, "because of the nature of training indoors" the guys have not adjusted well to outdoor conditions.

"T&T is in an enviable position with the talent we have. It is up to them to continue to play the way they normally play as a team together, with pride and passion. If they continue to play like that then we will be able to successfully defend our championship.

"A core of players have been training for the last eight weeks or so and I don't think it will be a problem for the final squad to gel together."