18 throw hat in Red Force coaching ring

A TOTAL of 18 applications were sent to the TT Cricket Board (TTCB) for the position of coach of the TT Red Force, according to a media release from the TTCB on Saturday.

Former TT and West Indies fast bowler Mervyn Dillon and David Furlonge, who served as coach and manager respectively during the 2019-2020, are among the list of 18. Dillon's contract expired on April 30.

Another group of ex-TT players - pacer Rayad Emrit, leg-spinner Samuel Badree, wicketkeeper Gibran Mohammed, opening batsman Imran Jan and all-rounder Roland Sampath (who previously served as TT manager), have also thrown their hats in to the ring.

Former Barbados and WI left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn sent his application before Thursday's deadline. There were also a candidate apiece from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan and South Africa.

"The executive of the TTCB will next appoint a selection committee to interview the candidates after which the new coach will be offered a contract," the media release said.

Applicants – Mervyn Dillon, David Furlonge, Rayad Emrit, Samuel Badree, Gibran Mohammed, Imran Jan, Roland Sampath, Bhoodesh Dookie, Davindra Singh, Gregory Davis, Vinood Maharaj, Keshava Ramphal, Brian Browne (TT); Sulieman Benn (Barbados); Pasindu Liyanaarachchi (Sri Lanka); Asadullah Khan (Afghanistan); Heinrich Malan (South Africa); Atiq-Uz-Zaman (Pakistan).