Friday, August 17 2012

Former South African captain, Herschelle Gibbs and ex-pace bowler Makhaya Ntini are the two latest additions to join Daren Ganga’s All- Star team as the anticipation further builds ahead of the inaugural “T20 for 50 Cricket Festival”, carded to bowl off at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, from August 24-26.

Also expected to be in Ganga’s multi-talented squad are South African all-rounder Justin Kemp, former West Indian player Pedro Collins and pacer Fidel Edwards.

The news was made public following a media release by organisers InvesTT on Wednesday.

Ganga was elated with his recent selections and assured the cricket loving Trinidad and Tobago public that it would be an enjoyable weekend of cricket. “These are just to name a few. We intend to dominate this tournament and give the people of TT a right and proper celebration in recognition of our distinguished milestone of 50 years of Independence,” he said.

The structure of this festival is a quadrangular T20 tournament which includes the participation of the Trinidad and Tobago national team, the Jamaican national team, and two All-Star teams captained by cricket legend Brian Charles Lara (Brian Lara XI) and Ganga (Daren Ganga XI). The All-Star teams will also include former players from Australia. Spin-bowler Shane Warne has already been selected to play for either one of the All-Star teams.

Ganga further added that the inaugural competition will be one that will not be forgotten with the likes of global cricket legends participating.

“We have built up very good and exciting teams!. Brian (Lara) is currently in the nets getting ready, the overseas players are arriving next week, and excitement is in the air. I believe that this tournament is going to be historical,” he explained.

The Sports Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago added, “The calibre of players, the pride of a people and the celebration of our Independence are going to make the Queen’s Park Oval the place to be next weekend.” On the opening day of competition, the Jamaican team will begin their competitive campaign against the Daren Ganga XI from 2.30pm while TT will face the Brian Lara XI at 7pm. On August 25, the national team will square off with the Ganga’s XI from 2pm and Jamaica will play Lara’s XI at 7pm.

The final day of competition will have the third place playoff from 2.30pm and the championship match bowls off from 7pm.

The heavily-armed squads will all be vying for the coveted US $25,000 pot. This event is being held in a special commemoration of this country’s 50th year of Independence.