Pierre: Red Force selectors face tough task picking squad

All-rounder Dwayne Bravo takes part in a TT Red Force training session, at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva, on Wednesday. - Marvin Hamilton
All-rounder Dwayne Bravo takes part in a TT Red Force training session, at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva, on Wednesday. - Marvin Hamilton

WEST Indies left-arm spinner Khary Pierre said the TT Red Force selectors will have a difficult task in finalising a 15-man squad for the Cricket West Indies Super50 tournament, which bowls off in Antigua, from February 4 to 27.

The Red Force team will be captained by West Indies 50-Over and T20 captain Kieron Pollard.

The Red Force selectors, led by chairman Rajendra Mangalie, will have a tough job, as several senior players are available.

Speaking during a training session at the National Cricket Centre in Couva on Tuesday, Pierre said, “A lot of practice games have gone so far. Lot of guys have been making it hard on the selectors by making runs and taking wickets, so the selectors have it hard. It is their job to go out there and pick the best 15 players to represent the country.”

The squad will be announced next week.

Pierre is anticipating the Super50 tournament, saying, “(I am) excited. Haven’t played in a while…CPL (was the last) major tournament, so just happy to get back out on the field and play some cricket.”

Pierre is aiming to shine at the Super50 and regain a place on the West Indies squad, as the regional team is expected to have a busy 2021.

TT Red Force captain Kieron Pollard looks to play a shot, during a team training session, at the National Cricket Centre, Couva, on Wednesday. - Marvin Hamilton

“Obviously that is my main aim, to get back on the West Indies team. I just want to go out there (and) make my performances do the talking. I just want to go out there have fun and enjoy the game.”

Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia and Pakistan are all expected to tour the West Indies in 2021.

Red Force are expected to be a formidable force for the Super50 tournament.

“Some of the West Indies players are back, so that will strengthen the team,” Pierre said. “It is always good to mix the experience with the youth. Generally we have a good team, it is just for the boys to go out there and play as a unit and bring it home.”

Jason Mohammed, Joshua Da Silva, Akeal Hosein, Shannon Gabriel and Kjorn Ottley are on the West Indies squad for the tour of Bangladesh which starts later this month.

Pacer Rayad Emrit bowls during a TT Red Force training session, at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva, on Wednesday. - Marvin Hamilton

Mohammed, Hosein and Ottley will represent West Indies in the three-match ODI series from January 20-25 and may be available for part of the Regional Super50 tournament.

Da Silva will not be available for the Super50 tournament, as he will represent West Indies in both the ODI and two-match Test series from February 3-15.

West Indies Test player Shannon Gabriel is the other Red Force player who will not be available for the entire tournament.

Pollard, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Dwayne Bravo, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran, Rayad Emrit and Lendl Simmons have all been drafted to play in the Abu Dhabi T10 2021 from January 28-February 6. Those players are expected to be available, according to Red Force coach David Furlonge.

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