Anthony Gray, a former West Indies and national cricketer, has been retained by the Executive of the T&T Cricket Board as chairman of the national selection panel for the 2019-2020 season.
An outstanding fast bowler in his heyday, Gray got the unanimous vote of confidence when the TTCB Executive met on Thursday at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva to finalize the technical teams for the senior men's Red Force squad and three national age-group teams.
Also holding on to his position is Mervyn Dillon as national senior coach and David Furlonge as manager/assistant coach with both into their second year in charge of the Red Force cricketers.
Gray, a respected cricket commentator will have at his disposal on the senior selection panel, the wide knowledge and insightful experience of former national players Mahadeo Bodoe, Rajendra Mangalie and Keno Mason on the senior selection panel.
The TTCB Executive, headed by president Azim Bassarath also appointed Furlonge, the most successful coach at Queen's Park Cricket Club as chairman of the Under-19 national selectors. Also on the panel are Deonarine Deyal, Gibran Mohammed and former West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman David Williams.
Making his debut at the national level will be Amin Forgenie, a recently elected National League representative who was selected as a coach, while Tobago Cricket Association president Kerwin John, also the TTCB second vice-president, returns as team manager.
In the national Under-17 set-up, former national cricketer Aneal Rajah keeps the chairmanship of the panel which also includes Randy Ramjit, Altaf Baksh, and John Pollard.
And in a reversal of roles talented national cricketer Rayad Emrit, currently playing for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 Tournament, has agreed to coach the Under-17 team in the upcoming season after managing the squad in the 2019 Rising Stars CWI regional tournament.
Also, Bhim Saugh has been kept as the chairman of the Under-15 national selectors and will be joined by Eugene Antoine and Marlon Richards, two former national cricketers along with experienced youth coach Glen Dwarika.
Also retained are manager Kelvin Mohammed and Tobago's Brian Browne (coach) under whom T&T captured their only championship in the 2019 Rising Stars CWI regional tournament.
Bassarath expressed his thanks on behalf of the TTCB to all those who served during the past season as technical officers of the respective teams and said he looked forward to a resurgence of fortunes of local cricket especially from the national senior team in the Regional 4-Day Tournament.
He said he was heartened by the enthusiastic interest shown by the former national cricketers who have put up their hand to help rejuvenate local cricket and he is optimistic that they will make a big difference with their input at all levels.
At the Board Executive Meeting, a minute's silence was also observed at the passing of Narine Ragoo, the longtime Wanderers Cricket Club captain who also played for T&T. Ragoo counted among his peers on the cricket field the John brothers --- Leo and Neville; Nyron Asgarali, Harry Ramoutar and Randolph Ramatali.
TTCB Technical Teams (2019-2020)
Red Force
Tony Gray (Chairman), Mahadeo Bodoe, Rajendra Mangalie, Keno Mason and national coach Mervyn Dillon
Manager: David Furlonge
Under-19
David Furlonge (Chairman), Deonarine Deyal, Gibran Mohammed, David Williams and coach Amin Forgenie
Manager: Kerwin John
Under-17
Aneal Rajah, Randy Ramjit, Altaf Baksh, John Pollard and coach Rayad Emrit
Manager: Rajendra Mangalie
Under-15
Bhim Saugh (chairman), Glen Dwarika, Eugene Antoine, Marlon Richards and coach Brian Browne
Manager: Kelvin Mohammed.