Less talk, more action

MANAGER of the TT Red Force Roland Sampath wants “less talk and more action,” saying it is time for the Red Force to perform at a higher level in the Cricket West Indies Regional Four-Day Tournament.

The Red Force, despite some glimpses of brilliance in its first match against Windward Islands Volcanoes from December 13 to 16, lost by 76 runs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.

Reliable leg spinner Imran Khan ended the match with 11 wickets after grabbing seven for 47 in the first innings followed by 4/79 in the second. Opener Jeremy Solozano was the bright spark in the batting department, scoring his second first class century (104) in the first innings. The Red Force are hoping for a change of fortunes against Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the Brian Lara Academy from tomorrow until Monday.

The Red Force have been strengthened for the Hurricanes match with the West Indies duo of wicket-keeper batsman Denesh Ramdin and fast bowler Shannon Gabriel joining the squad. The Red Force batting has been falling short over the past few years. Ramdin (30.96) and Amir Jangoo (30.13) are the only Red Force batsmen who have played more than ten first class matches and average over 30. Top and middle order batsmen Jason Mohammed (27.55), Yannic Cariah (27.93), Kyle Hope (29.91) and Jeremy Solozano (19.66) all average under 30.

The Red Force have been struggling in the four-day tournament for years, which includes a last place finish in the 2017/2018 season. Sampath wants the team to step up. “Less talk and more action, more performance. If you say that the preparation was good then what is the problem now – no excuses,” Sampath said.

A number of the Red Force players such as Solozano, Jangoo, spinner Bryan Charles and fast bowlers Anderson Phillip and Daniel St Clair are still relatively young, but Sampath said they have been in the squad for a long time. “They are young but they have been around for a while now. One would expect them to come to the table now – it’s overdue.”

Sampath also wants some stronger performances from the senior players.

“Kyle Hope over the years has been our most consistent batsman...Jason is a West Indies player and you expect something from him. Jangoo made 499 runs last year, you also have Cariah who is in his eighth year. We not taking any prisoners, enough is enough.”

Sampath said it is a welcome sight to have Gabriel back in the team. “Of course he will be bringing an international flavour, class and experience. (He will be) lifting the team a bit and you expect them to bring something to the table.”

The Red Force manager wants Khan to get some more support from the other bowlers. “Imran is Imran. Imran is always consistent and we don’t have a problem with Imran. As long as Imran is there and someone is at the other end giving him some support we should be giving a better account of ourselves.” Tomorrow’s match will bowl off at 10 am.

TT SQUAD

Denesh Ramdin (captain), Kyle Hope, Jeremy Solozano, Yannic Cariah, Amir Jangoo, Jason Mohammed, Joshua Da Silva, Khary Pierre, Bryan Charles, Daniel St Clair, Imran Khan, Anderson Phillip, Shannon Gabriel, Roland Sampath (manager), Kelvin Williams (coach)