Veteran spinner Benn ready to face Red Force

LEFT-ARM spinner Sulieman Benn is looking forward to doing battle against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force today at the Queen’s Park Oval, St Clair.

The 36-year-old will be in action for the Regional XI which is being skippered by Darren Sammy of St Lucia. Play bowls off at 7.30 pm and tickets for the match – which can be purchased at NLCB (National Lotteries Control Board) booths or the Box Office at the Queen’s Park Oval – will cost $100.

“It is always nice to play against a good team. The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force has selected a really good team and playing them at home will be challenging. For the cause I hope the match is very entertaining and I hope we have a good go at it,” said Benn upon his arrival in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Regional XI have seven players in their squad that are World T20 Champions. Hard-hitting opening batsmen Dwayne Smith and Johnson Charles are complimented by experienced bowlers Jerome Taylor and Ashley Nurse who Benn believes can engineer a win over the Red Force.

“I am sure the guys we have assembled for the Regional XI will go out there and put on a good show. We are hoping to put on a performance for a large crowd in attendance,” said the lanky Bajan.

The veteran of 96 T20 matches urged fans to attend the match. “Come out, have a good time and support a good charity because it is for a good cause.

When you look at what happened throughout the Caribbean it is very devastating and heart wrenching and we need the support of the crowd to get a successful event. It is import that Dominica, Antigua and Baburda get the aid and support from all of us,” Benn pleaded.

He continued, “I am happy to be involved in an initiative like this and people took the initiative to go ahead and try and put on a game like this and it will be a good place to play because Trinidadians always support their cricket. They love good cricket and hopefully we can give that to them (today).”