Goolie thrilled by Red Force call-up

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Youth World cup star Jyd Goolie says he is delighted after gaining selection to the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force squad for the first two games of the Regional first class season bowling off next weekend.

The 19-year-old all-rounder was last week named in a 13-man squad which will be led by Yannick Ottley, and says the achievement was beyond his dreams.

“Words cannot express how I feel. It is an honour to represent my country’s franchise at this age,” Goolie said.

“I feel very proud knowing that the hard work and dedication I invested in my game is paying dividends.”

A left-hander who also bowls right-arm off-breaks, Goolie was part of the historic West Indies Under-19 squad which won the Youth World Cup earlier this year in Bangladesh.

Yet to make his first class debut, he made a strong case for himself during Red Force trials, stroking an unbeaten 107 in one outing.

He said he was convinced that once he performed, he would have gotten the selectors’ attention.

“I did not expect to be in this position after returning from the World Cup,” he explained.

“I have been training with the senior team and I knew once I put my best foot forward I would have a chance to address the selectors.”

While Goolie had a modest Youth World Cup, he said he had worked hard since returning to the Caribbean and had managed to improve his game significantly.

He said was now ready for the rigours of first class competitition.

“What allowed me to make this transition is spending a great deal of time in the nets trying to improve every aspect of my game,” he noted.

“In addition I have been taking meaningful advice from the coaches and senior players.”

Red Force face Windward Islands Volcanoes in a day/night match at Queen’s Park Oval in the opening round and follow up with a clash with long-time rivals Barbados Pride at the same venue in the second round.