Red Force revival: Lawrence sees positive signs in T&T roster for West Indies Championship 

“[…] This isn’t just another regional season about to begin for the Red Force, it’s the beginning of a new era. The squad selected is a good one with core players that one can describe as youthfully experienced—young players with enough first-class experience, led by the veteran leg-spinner Imran Khan. 

“West Indies Test wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva has been named as vice-captain, even with former captain Jason Mohammed in the team. Clearly, this shows an intent to look towards the future…”

Former Trinidad and Tobago allrounder Andre Lawrence previews the T&T Red Force season as the 2022 West Indies Championship gets started:

Photo: West Indies batsman Joshua Da Silva in action during the First Test against Sri Lanka in November 2021.
(via CWI Media)

The England Cricket Board sent shock waves through its nation today by announcing that their two most successful seamers, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson, had been omitted from their Test team to tour the West Indies in early March. 


They are not the only changes. The director of cricket as well as head and assistant coaches have all been fired. This is a direct result of losing 10 of their last 14 Tests—in particular a 4-0 drubbing from Australia during the winter.

Similarly, the TTCB, under recently appointed chairman of selectors Rajendra Mangalie, announced the Red Force squad just two days ago with similar sweeping changes. The household names of Ravi Rampaul, Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin, Dwayne Bravo, etc, are seemingly no more. Only Bravo is known to have ruled himself out for selection.

This isn’t just another regional season about to begin for the Red Force, it’s the beginning of a new era.

The squad selected is a good one with core players that one can describe as youthfully experienced—young players with enough first-class experience, led by the veteran leg-spinner Imran Khan. 

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago leg-spinner Imran Khan sends down another delivery.
(via ESPN)

West Indies Test wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva has been named as vice-captain, even with former captain Jason Mohammed in the team. Clearly, this shows an intent to look towards the future. 

There’s only one new face in Kirstan Kallicharan, a young right-handed batsman who promised much as a teen.

The attack looks quite impressive, with West Indies Test pacers Shannon Gabriel and Jayden Seales, along with Anderson Phillip and Terrance Hinds, a fast medium bowler who also has a first-class hundred to his name. 

In support of them are, along with the captain, off-spinner Bryan Charles and left-arm finger spinner Khary Pierre along with the captain.


The batting will be bolstered by the return of Jeremy Solozano, who suffered an unfortunate blow to the head while fielding at short-leg in his debut Test match.

Photo: West Indies pacer Jayden Seales, then 19, celebrates after dismissing South Africa batsman Keegan Petersen for his first Test wicket on 12 June 2021.
(Copyright AFP/ Getty Images)

Having not won a regional title since 2006 under former captain Daren Ganga, the Red Force will be intent on creating an immediate impact at home. They face the Jamaica Scorpions from 10am tomorrow at the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba.

Entrance is free to fully vaccinated patrons. Wired868 wishes the team a very productive season.

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About Andre Lawrence

Andre Lawrence played for Trinidad and Tobago, QPCC and CIC, where he also was captain, and had a stint playing in the leagues in England. 

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