Ottley takes over helm of Red Force

Ottley takes over helm of Red Force

Vinode Mamchan
Published: Guardian
Friday, November 20, 2015
Former West Indies under-19 vice-captain Yannick Ottley will captain T&T Red Force today, when they oppose Jamaican Scorpions in their third round PCL 4-day clash at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain starting at 9.30 am.

Ottley takes over the reigns from regular captain Rayad Emrit, who has opted to play in the Bangladesh Premier League. Speaking on his elevation, the all rounder said: “It is a bit exciting at the moment and it is an honour to captain my country. I can’t wait for the game against Jamaica. I just want to do my best and lead from the front.

“I definitely did not expect to be named captain at this young age when I started playing first class cricket. This has been exciting and part of my development from youth cricket where I have captained several youth teams.”

He continued: “It is a bit of pressure starting my captaincy at home because the fans want to see results. We want to entertain as well and produce the results for our country so it is just for us to go out there and do well.”

Ottley will have as his deputy, experienced Guyanese import Narsingh Deonarine, who has played 18 Tests and 128 first class games. Coming into the team is opener Jeremy Solozano, fast bowler Marlon Richards and all rounder Uthman Mohmmed. They will replace  Evin Lewis, Emrit and Shannon Gabriel respectively.

The T&T Red Force has made a good start to this year’s campaign with an opening win against the Leewards Hurricances and a credible draw against a strong Barbados Pride at Kensington Oval in Barbados. They currently lie third.

The Jamaicans have one win and a loss. Chairman of the International Matches Committee from the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB), Azim Bassarath said all is in place for the opening First Class match of the season at home and he is expecting the cricket fans to support the franchise over the next few days.

SQUADS

T&T Red Force – Yannick Ottley (captain), Narsingh Deonarine (vice-captain), Jeremy Solozano, Kjorn Ottley, Yannic Cariah, Imran Khan, Steven Katwaroo, Uthman Mohammed, Daniel St. Clair, Marlon Richards, Kyle Hope, Kavesh Kantasingh, Bryan Charles.

Jamaica Scorpions - Paul Palmer (capt), John Campbell, Kirk Edwards, Andre McCarthy, Tamar Lambert, Chadwick Walton, David Bernard, Nikita Miller, Damion Jacobs, Marquino Mindley, Jason Dawes, Devon Thomas, Nicholson Gordon.

Franchises    M    W    L    D    Pts
Guyana Jaguars    2    2    0    0    35
Barbados Pride    2    1    0    1    25
T&T Red Force    2    1    0    1    23
Jamaica Scorpions    2    1    0    1    8
Windwards Volcanoes    2    0    0    2    7
Leewards Hurricanes    2    0    0    2    4