Bassarath makes final plea for TTCB tournament

PRESIDENT of the TT Cricket Board (TTCB) Azim Bassarath is making a final plea to the Ministry of Health to allow the local cricket board to host a zonal 50-over tournament in January.

Bassarath said the tournament would aid the TT Red Force's preparations ahead of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Super50 tournament, which will be played from February 4-27 in Antigua.

Last Wednesday, a TTCB media release said, “TTCB president Azim Bassarath has written to the Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh seeking Government approval for the nation’s top men’s cricketers to return to action.”

The release added that the TTCB “is cognisant of the seriousness of the covid19 pandemic’s threat to public health and the necessity to strictly adhere to the established Government protocols.”

The TTCB 50-overs tournament will include four teams – North, Central, South and East/Tobago.

At 11 am on Monday, Bassarath told Newsday, “As of now we haven’t had any response.”

The TTCB wanted to start the zonal tournament on January 6, but Bassarath said, “If they don’t respond and we don’t get approval, we are not going to start it, because we don’t want to do anything that is against the government policy.”

Bassarath said the players and staff of the Red Force team want the tournament to be played because it will provide the perfect preparation for the CWI 50-over tournament.

Some of the players have been on the sidelines since the pandemic began in March.

“There is absolutely no cricket for a number of the players. Ninety per cent of the players played no cricket at all during the covid period, and the more cricket they play now going into this tournament will only do the team good.

"We want the tournament to play. We pleading with them, we begging them. We have already said that all covid protocols will be in place. No spectators will be allowed. We just want the cricket to play with the cricketers out on the park.”

Bassarath said the TTCB must submit the TT Red Force team to CWI by January 15 for the regional Super50 tournament. If the zonal tournament is played, the Super50 squad will be named during the local tournament. The TTCB wanted to have the zonal tournament to run until January 23.

The Red Force, under new coach David Furlonge and new manager Sebastian Edwards, held three 50-over practice matches and one T20 contest before Christmas. One of the 50-over matches and the T20 were not completed because of rain.

Bassarath said all the top players are willing to play in the Super50.

“In this tournament all the players have indicated (their interest to play) – the Bravos (Dwayne and Darren), the Pollards (Kieron), Sunil (Narine), Lendl Simmons. All of them have indicated that they want to play this tournament and they are looking forward to play in this tournament.”

Pollard will captain the Red Force and wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin is also available.