vinode.mamchan@guardian.co.tt
Queen's Park batsman Joshua Da Silva has been selected on the T&T Red Force team for the upcoming clash against the Windward Islands Volcanoes in the West Indies 4-Day Championship which will be played from the 13 to 16 December at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, San Fernando.
Da Silva the wicketkeeper/batsman gets his reward for consistent performances in the domestic cricket tournament. The hard-hitting right-hander scored 520 runs in the Premier league and recorded solid scores of 156 not out and 77 not out in the 50 overs zonal tournament. He also had 20 dismissals behind the stumps in the Premier League playing for QPCC II.
Speaking on his selection he said: "I am very excited to be selected on the T&T four-day team to play in the West Indies Championships. Ever since I started playing cricket my goal was to play for my country and then go on to play for the West Indies."
Da Silva played the T&T Under-19 team a couple seasons ago and will now make the big step towards First Class cricket. "I played for the T&T Under-19 cricket team and I told myself that the next step was the senior team and then hopefully the West Indies team."
The Red Force team will be captained by all-rounder Imran Khan in the absence of regular skipper Denesh Ramdin, who will be away on T20 duties for the West Indies team. He will have as his deputy left-hand batsman Yannic Carriah also of the Parkites. The left-hander was one of the more consistent players for the Red Force in their last PCL campaign during the 2018 season.
Jeremy Solozano who was the best of the batsmen during the trials has been selected as one of the openers together with Barbadian Kyle Hope, wicketkeeper/batsman Amir Jangoo, seasoned West Indies batsman Jason Mohammed, Da Silva, and all-rounder Tion Webster.
On the bowling front making a comeback to the team is spinner Ricky Jaipaul. The Merryboys player did very well in the domestic league and gets his reward. He also did well playing for Gwadiola in the Barbados first division. The other spinners on the team are Khan and Bryan Charles.
The fast bowling duties will be in the hands of import Odean Smith, TKR player Anderson Phillip and left arm seamer Daniel St. Clair.
T&T was due to play their first game this week against Jamaica but due to the lack of a venue, they will now open their campaign next week against the Windwards at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
Red Force Squad
Imran Khan (Captain), Yannic Cariah (Vice-Captain), Kyle Hope, Jeremy Solozano, Amir Jangoo, Jason Mohammed, Joshua Da Silva, Tion Webster, Daniel St. Clair, Bryan Charles, Odean Smith, Anderson Phillip, Ricky Jaipaul. Coach: Kelvin Williams, Manager: Roland Sampath, Physio: Jason Pilgrim.