Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 12, 2011 Sports
By Sean Devers in Antigua
In association with Digicel, Carib Beer, Leisure Inn, GSL, Queensway & Dave’s West Indian Imports (NY)
Somerset is one of two English Counties involved in this year’s Caribbean T20 cricket tournament and after losing in the finals of both the First-class and T20 competitions in England they are out to win the competition which concludes on January 23 in Barbados.
Today they face Caribbean champions Guyana in their first match from 4PM and even without their two premier batsmen Skipper Marcus Trescothick and Craig Kieswetter, they should provide tough competition for Guyana, who played last year’s Champions League T20 in South Africa.
Somerset’s chief executive Richard Gould explained that as many of the playing staff will travel to the West Indies as possible so as to avoid what he calls “home alone.” The two notable absentees are Trescothick and Kieswetter, who, even if he had not been injured, would have been required by England in Australia.
Somerset will compete against seven West Indian sides, Canada, (who played last year) as well as English rivals Hampshire.
Somerset were one of the finalists of the T20 competition in England last summer and were defeated by Hampshire at the Rose Bowl and today they will play for the first time on Caribbean soil against the likes of West Indies players Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shiv Chanderpaul, Travis Dowlin, Sewnarine Chattergoon and Royston Crandon.
“We are taking the smallest possible backroom staff to include as many youngsters as possible,” said Gould, who, along with Hurry, will join the squad in Barbados.
“We are going with the intention of winning the tournament and there will be opportunities for the likes of Hussain and George Dockrell, our young Irish spinner.
“We shall be supported by Taunton MP Jeremy Browne, who will be in Barbados in his capacity as a Foreign Office minister.” Gould added.
In addition to Somerset and Guyana, Jamaica, CCC and the Windward Islands are the other teams in zone ‘A’.
Jamaica and the Windward’s, led by West Indies Captain Darren Sammy who won their opening games against CCC and Guyana respectively and with Guyana’s batting in T20 cricket continuing to prove problematic, the English team will be confident of joining the zone’s front runners today.
Guyana play CCC on Friday and the Windwards in their final preliminary round match in Barbados on Tuesday and will aim for a win today to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
The top placed Caribbean team will qualify for this year’s Champions Trophy in India but any of the teams, including the three foreign sides can win the title and the first prize of US$62,000.
The WICB has increased the first prize from last year’s competition by US$37,500 with the total prize money for the event being US$125,000, more than double the amount in the tournament’s inaugural edition.
There has also been an increase from 8 to 10 teams and 16 to 24 matches this year.
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