[UPDATED] Red Force coach David Furlonge: Youngsters deserve their pick

TRINIDAD and Tobago Red Force have named four newcomers in their squad for the opening round of the West Indies Four-Day Championships against Combined Campuses and Colleges. The match will be a day-night affair played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, from January 29 at 1 pm.

Aaidan Racha, 18, and Andrew Rambaran, 19, have been chosen, along with Tobagonian Joshua James and Antonio Gomez. Racha is a fast bowler, James is an allrounder known for his attacking nature with the bat, Rambaran is an aggressive left-handed batsman and Gomez is a right-handed wicketkeeper batsman.

James has played for Red Force before, but in the 50-over format. They all played for TT at junior level and will aim for success now in the senior ranks.

Red Force coach David Furlonge wants the youngsters to grab their opportunity after performing during the preparations. “I am hoping that they live up to expectations. They have earned their selection after performances in the North/South (contest) and the trial matches that we had. It is to see them go forward into the higher level...and do well.”

Rambaran struck fifties in both innings of the North/South Classic and James cracked a half-century in the first innings, in a match that ended on January 12. Gomez cracked a century in the Under-23 Cup, which is currently taking place. In a trial match that followed the North/South Classic, James had strong performances with bat and ball (74 and 3/21).

Red Force have a few players unavailable because of West Indies duty, giving the youngsters a chance. Wicket-keeper batsmen Joshua Da Silva and Amir Jangoo, along with fast bowlers Jayden Seales and Anderson Phillip are in Pakistan with the West Indies team for a two-match Test series. Terrence Hinds, who has shown his quality for Red Force in recent years, is unavailable for the first three matches because he is playing in the International League T20.

Red Force will be captained by Bryan Charles and Khary Pierre will serve as vice-captain. Jason Mohammed, Yannic Cariah, Tion Webster and Jyd Goolie will bring experience to the team.

Mohammed is the most experienced batsman in the team and his role is key. “You can’t beat his experience, he is important to the batting unit batting at number four,” Furlonge said. “Jason has a bad mind, he goes out there and scores runs. You give him a target and he normally meets or exceeds the target. Him getting early form I think is very good for the team.” Mohammed belted 224 in the North-South Classic.

The Red Force have played matches under lights this year, which has prepared the unit for the round one match against CCC. “We saw the conditions that we would have to play in. We saw the ball moving around a bit, we saw in the night that the ball gets a little wet...the umpires were constantly changing the ball. We would have to look at the spinners bowling earlier in the day and the seamers bowling later on.”

It is often challenging for spinners to grip a ball when wet, but the pacers will have an easier time.

Former West Indies and Red Force player Lendl Simmons will serve as a mentor on the team. “It is always good to have senior players around to give them advice, giving them encouragement and talk about their past experiences, especially with some of the young fellas that we have there. We have the young Gomez, who is a wicketkeeper batter (and) Andrew Rambaran...he could be a good influence on them,” said Furlonge.

Red Force squad: Bryan Charles (captain), Khary Pierre (vice-captain), Antonio Gomez, Tion Webster, Jason Mohammed, Joshua James, Cephas Cooper, Andrew Rambaran, Vikash Mohan, Justin Manick, Yannic Cariah, Aaidan Racha, Jyd Goolie.

Officials: David Furlonge (coach), Rayad Emrit (coach), Sebastian Edwards (manager), Jelani Baptiste (physio), Lendl Simmons (mentor).

This story was originally published with the title "Teenagers Racha, Rambaran picked on Red Force squad" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

TRINIDAD and Tobago Red Force have named four newcomers in their squad for the opening round of the West Indies Four-Day Championships against Combined Campuses and Colleges. The match will be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba from January 29 at 1 pm.

Teenagers Aaidan Racha and Andrew Rambaran have been chosen, along with Tobagonian Joshua James and Antonio Gomez. Racha is a fast bowler, James is an allrounder known for his attacking nature with the bat, Rambaran is an aggressive left-handed batsman and Gomez is a right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman.

James has played for Red Force before but in the 50-over format. They all played for TT at the junior level and will aim for success now in the senior ranks. Red Force have a few players unavailable because of West Indies duty giving the youngsters an opportunity. Wicket-keeper batsmen Joshua Da Silva and Amir Jangoo, along with fast bowlers Jayden Seales and Anderson Phillip are in Pakistan with the West Indies team for a two-match Test series.

Red Force will be captained by Bryan Charles and Khary Pierre will serve as vice-captain. Jason Mohammed, Yannic Cariah, Tion Webster and Jyd Goolie will bring experience to the team.

Red Force squad: Bryan Charles (captain), Khary Pierre (vice-captain), Antonio Gomez, Tion Webster, Jason Mohammed, Joshua James, Cephas Cooper, Andrew Rambaran, Vikash Mohan, Justin Manick, Yannic Cariah, Aaidan Racha, Jyd Goolie.

Officials: David Furlonge (coach), Rayad Emrit (coach), Sebastian Edwards (manager), Jelani Baptiste (physio), Lendl Simmons (mentor).