- FILE
Marlon Samuels ... a much mature player, says skipper Hinds.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP):
TRINIDAD AND Tobago captain Daren Ganga said yesterday that his 2004 champions will be hard pressed to repeat their victory at the 2005 President's Cup.
The regional one-day cricket tournament begins here tomorrow.
"We know that it's not going to be easy," Ganga said. "They know we're re defending champions, and a lot of teams like Barbados and Jamaica, they have a score to settle as well."
The Trinidadians without West Indies players Brian Lara, Dwayne Bravo, Mervyn Dillon and Ravi Rampaul swiped the title a year ago from more highly favoured teams.
Lara will again be missing due to commitments with the Rest of the World team in the Super Series in Australia. But the squad will have Bravo, Dillon and Rampaul.
Ganga said all-rounder Bravo, who turns 22 on Friday, will be a key player.
"He highlights all the different aspects of cricket. He's somebody who is very exciting when he's on the field," the captain said.
Jamaica, boasting eight players with international experience, are expected to be the principal challengers.
EXCITING CRICKETERS
Jamaican captain Wavell Hinds, who was part of an equally powerful team that failed to reach the semi-finals last year, said he is eager not to let that happen again.
"We have quite a few exciting cricketers in our squad and some pretty experienced international cricketers," Hinds said. "So we' re looking to put it together for our country."
Hinds said batting is Jamaica's strength, though the loss of ace fast bowlers Jermaine Lawson and Jerome Taylor from injuries set back the bowling.
But he expected a lift from West Indies pacer Daren Powell and off-spinning all-rounders Gareth Breese and Marlon Samuels.
Hinds expected Samuels to be the star of the tournament.
"I don't like to single out players, but certainly you can't overlook the exciting talent of Marlon Samuels," Hinds said. "He has gotten into his groove and is pretty much a more mature player to date."
Hosts Barbados and Guyana are again main contenders.
Barbados captain Courtney Browne believes his team can overcome a scratchy preparation period to mount a realistic challenge.
EXPERIENCED PLAYERS
"We've been playing together as a unit for a while now," Browne, a 35-year-old former West Indies wicket-keeper said. "Hopefully, with the experience in the team, we will be able to do a good job."
Browne said the squad would include seasoned batsman Floyd Reifer, who returned to competitive cricket recently after a nasty collision when fielding in last year's President's Cup semi-final against Trinidad and Tobago.
The 33-year-old Reifer, who recovered from a badly damaged shoulder and nose, and fast bowler Tino Best are two players Browne expects to lead the challenge.
Injury to key fast bowler Pedro Collins forced Barbados to make a last-minute change. The experienced left-arm fast bowler, who has a member of the Barbados team for eight years, will be replaced his younger brother Fidel Edwards.
Chairman of Barbados selectors Joel Garner said yesterday that the decision was made after Collins broke down in a warm-up match with the West Indies team camp.
"Even though Pedro is a key player, we know Fidel can do the job," Garner said.
