Work ethic the key to success - Ganga

Daren Ganga has credited a professional work ethic as the reason for Trinidad & Tobago's WICB Cup triumph. T&T clinched their second major title this year when they defeated Barbados comfortably by seven wickets in a low-scorer at the National Stadium in Providence, Guyana.

"We came here to play cricket and everyone was eager to bring success for our country because that was our objective," Ganga was quoted by the Jamaica Gleaner. "Our preparation was good. I think we just started the right way and tried and played hard cricket, and I think we deserved this victory. I must say congratulations to all the guys for playing their part in winning this prestigious Cup."

Ganga, who hit an unbeaten 48 as T&T chased down 143 with ease, captained Guyana to their ninth win in the tournament, joining Guyana as the team with most titles since the competition began in 1976. This success followed T&T's win in the Stanford 20/20 and the Stanford Championship Cup against English champions Middlesex during the Stanford Super Series last month.

"When you are representing your country, you want to give a 100% effort and try to do your best and play competitive cricket against the boys in the Caribbean, but at the same time you want to ensure it is a developmental process that ultimately benefits West Indies cricket," Ganga said, also pinpointing Adrian Barath and Daren Bravo as "talented cricketers".

T&T board CEO Forbes Persaud urged West Indies' selectors to pick more T&T players in the side. Speaking at a reception for the T&T side, Persaud said the selectors needed to recognise the "best team" in the Caribbean.

"I often wonder how is it that we could have a team performing like this and we just have one player on the West Indies team. Daren Ganga has clearly demonstrated that he has that quality in him to lead and we are at a stage right now where our team, the West Indies team, continue to perform badly, to be an embarrassment to the region on the international field and perhaps the West Indies selectors should think again and give some thought to that name Daren Ganga where leadership of the regional team is concerned."

Ganga felt the difference between the local and regional set-ups was the culture in which they played cricket. "I think it's a vastly different culture in the Trinidad and Tobago set-up as against West Indies set-up. That is something we as players have groomed and inculcated," he said. "It's very important for us to take this to the next level. A lot of players move on from Trinidad and Tobago and regional cricket to the international level and somehow they get caught up in what is happening up there."