T&T Red Force will be hoping to give a much better showing today, when it comes up against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes in round three of the Digicel Professional Cricket League at the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair, Port-of-Spain from 10 am.
After making a wonderful start to the tournament with a nine-wicket victory over the Windward Islands, the Red Force was brought right down to earth earlier this week, as the Barbados Pride defeated the local unit by 242 runs.
Embattled West Indies middle order batsman Darren Bravo was in line to come into the team but he is not yet ready to return to the fold. He was recently sent home from the Zimbabwe tour for an offensive tweet against West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron.
Meanwhile, the national team went through its paces yesterday at the Oval in preparation for today’s clash and the players are all upbeat despite the last round loss.
Young West Indies Under-19 player Jyd Goolie, who made his debut against the Pride last week, is looking forward to the clash.
“I need to be much more calm and just enjoy the moment. If you are nervous you will just be frightened and not play to the best of your ability. I am confident that I can play and be successful at this level once I adapt quickly and continue to learn.
Goolie made scores of 19 and eight in the first game but is now promising more.
“First Class cricket is more complexed than youth cricket which is much more straightforward. You have to put a lot of thought into your cricket and work harder. Natural talent is not going to cut it at this level and you have to invest in your preparations. You have to work harder for your runs and put much more effort.”
The T&T Red Force went into the last round leading the standings but after the loss to the Pride, it is now fourth. The Leewards, which have been the whipping boys in regional cricket over the last few years, but all rounder Rahkeem Cornwall has turned in some wonderful performances this season, that has taken them to second place on 24.2 points.