The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will begin ramping up preparations for their CG United Super50 title defence with a 50-over warm-up match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba from 9 a.m. today.
While head coach David Furlonge referred to the fixture as a practice encounter, he said the selectors will be using the opportunity to observe prospective players.
Among those expected to be take part in today’s match are T&T U-19 players Aidan Racha and Andrew Rambaran, senior Red Force players Joshua Da Silva, Bryan Charles and Tion Webster, Tobago all-rounder Joshua James as well as top domestic batters Isaiah Rajah and Jordan Warner.
Furlonge said two more matches are scheduled for next week with the players competing in a day-game on Monday and day-night fixture on Wednesday at the same venue.
The Southern venue is one of three that will host matches in the Super50 which will be held in Trinidad from October 29 to November 24. The other two venues are the Sir Frank Worrell Ground at UWI St Augustine and the Queen’s Park Oval, in Port of Spain.
Gibran Mohammed was recently appointed the new chairman of selectors for the Red Force team, taking over the role from Furlonge. The other members of the selection committee include the Red Force head coach, Frank Simmons, former national opening batter Deonarine Deyal, Rajendra Mangalie and the Red Force captain-elect.