Former National Under-19 batsman Kjorn Ottley will lead a strong T&T Under-23 team, for a two-week tour of South Africa. Ottley recently represented the Combined Campus and Colleges team in the just concluded West Indies Cricket Board 50-over President's Cup in Guyana. The local side will leave tomorrow at 6.55 pm and will be the guest of the East Rhand Cricket Academy which toured Trinidad earlier this year.
While in South Africa, the T&T team is slated to play a series matches against several top academies, including four-50 over games and two two-day matches.
The 15-member squad is packed with talent, with the inclusion of several prominent players, among them former T&T and West Indies Under-15 captain and wicketkeeper Steven Katwaroo, U-19 leg-spinner Kissoondath Magram, Premier Cricket League prolific run-getter Nicholas Sookdeosingh and left-arm unorthodox spinner Dane Teelucksingh. Skipper Ottley said he is looking to a successful series against the South Africans.
"Firstly, I want to ensure the team win all the matches and also to maintain a high level of discipline both on and off the field. This is the ideal platform for myself and the remainder of the team to showcase our talent at this level. This is also a chance to expose ourselves to the cricketing world," said Ottley, a student at UWI, St Augustine. The team will be managed by Stephen Martel with veteran administrator Lalman Kowlessar as his assistant. Former national fast bowler Clem Hercules is coach. The squad was selected after months of preparation and several friendly matches against the senior national team and several top cubs in the twin-island republic.
SQUAD
Kjorn Ottley (capt), Keegan Roy, Steven Katwaroo (Preysal Sports), Dane Teelucksingh (FCB Clarke Road), Franklyn Rouse, Kevon Christmas (Merry Boys), Jovan Charles, Anthony Balgobin, Marlon Barclay, Nicholas Alexis (Queen's Park), Vaaroon Samaroo, Akiel Cooper, Nicholas Sookdeosingh (PowerGen), Kissoondath Magram (Comets), Marlon Richards (Moosai's Sports).