Disappointed Goolie eyes spot on Red Force's Four-Day team

Jyd Goolie (left) and Rayad Emrit -
Jyd Goolie (left) and Rayad Emrit -

A FIVE-YEAR regional title drought from the TT Red Force served as the driving force behind the TT Cricket Board (TTCB) selectors opting for experience over youth in this year’s 15-man team for the CG Insurance Super50 Cup, which will take place in Antigua/Barbuda from February 7-27.

The squad was announced by the TTCB on Friday, with all-rounder Kieron Pollard leading the troops and Darren Bravo serving as vice-captain.

Seasoned players such as Denesh Ramdin, Jason Mohammed, Lendl Simmons, Sunil Narine, Imran Khan, Nicholas Pooran and even Ravi Rampaul were selected while rising stars Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Kjorn Ottley and Anderson Phillip also made the cut.

However, Tion Webster, who shone brightly throughout the trial matches, was omitted alongside the likes of Rayad Emrit, Terrence Hinds, Jyd Goolie, Yannic Cariah and Mark Deyal.

Chairman of selectors Rajendra Mangalie said the process to pick the 15-man squad was a tough one. However, he believes the TT Red Force is hungry for another long-awaited regional title and should have a greater chance at achieving the feat led by some of the more experienced cricketers.

“If you look at the crop of players there’s about nine of them that have played for the West Indies already," said Mangalie. "2021 is an important year for TT cricket.

“We haven’t won any titles since 2016 and this is why we opted to use the experience at our disposal. We’re hoping they can bring back silverware to TT and start a new movement for TT cricket.”

Goolie, who is yet to represent the Red Force at the Super50 level, was a bit disappointed but opted to shift his focus on securing a spot in TT’s regional Four-Day team. This competition is expected to get underway in April.

The 23-year old scored a century and a half-century during recent Red Force practice matches. He was also a crucial part of the WI team which won the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup in 2016. Since then, he has played four First Class matches for the Red Force.

Goolie said on Saturday, “Looking at the team, it really is a strong one. But I have to now change my focus to see if I can get on to the Four-Day team. I think preparations for the Four-Day team begin this coming week.

“I was a bit disappointed but looking at the team, most of the guys are senior players and deserve to be there. I’m a young player so I believe there are many chances I still have to make the team,” said Goolie.

According to Mangalie, TT is overflowing with cricket talent and selecting the best 15 was challenging. While he understands that some of the omitted players may be a bit displeased, he urged them to continue pressing forward and working towards securing selection on the Red Force's Four-Day squad.

He mentioned, “If these guys were playing for any other country they would have made the team. It’s only 15 we could pick and we selected the best possible crop of players.

“The Four-Day tournament is coming up and I told those who were not selected to continue practising. We have about six or seven young talented players who could walk in to any team but it’s only 15 that can play.”

Mangalie, however, credited the input of veteran all-rounder Dwayne Bravo for attending all the team’s training sessions and trial matches.

Bravo used this opportunity to help some of the younger players work on their technique, correct faults and elevate their overall gameplay.

The TTCB chairman of selectors welcomed Bravo’s decision to share his experience and knowledge with the younger ones and made him the unofficial team mentor during these sessions.

“It’s great that these guys, like Dwyane and Pollard, are giving back their knowledge to TT cricket. This is good and they do this at no cost. With Dwayne and the other senior players involved, it serves as motivation for the younger ones,” Mangalie said.

He concluded, “It took a lengthy time debating the team as selectors. I think the guys know that the senior players were selected because of how critical cricket is for TT for 2021. We’re trying with another team and hope it can swing in our favour.”

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"Disappointed Goolie eyes spot on Red Force’s Four-Day team"

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