“Kieron Pollard's absence (he preferred to play for Mumbai Indians) effectively means a big void in Trinidad & Tobago team. But, we have got used to it since we knew of his decision in July itself. We have to move on as a team and face the challenges,” said captain Daren Ganga on the eve of the CLT20 qualifiers here from September 19 to 21.
“Our chances are as good as that of any other team here. Our strength is the team spirit and we hope to play real good cricket and win two games to make it to the main draw,” the T & T captain said.
“We have good talented young faces who might not be as powerful hitters as Pollard is but capable of producing the results. We should essentially play to our strengths and not worry about what we don't have in the armoury.” “We are not worried about the new format of this CLT20 wherein despite being T20 champion back home we have to go through the qualifying rounds here. We should win two straight games anyway to make it to the main draw. You have to beat the best teams to hope to win the title. That is it,” Ganga said.
Hoggard confident
Leicestershire captain Matthew Hoggard believes that he has the team which has match-winners at every position.
“We believe in the underdogs rising to the occasion when the situation demands special performances,” he insisted.
The 34-year-old Hoggard says his team is high on confidence having done exceptionally well back home in the very tough national competition.
“Yes, the conditions are bound to be different here compared to England. We have to get used to the heat and the different playing conditions here very quickly. But, there are quite a few who have been to India in the past and are capable of doing well in crunch time,” the Leicestershire captain said. “This is a format which needs a quick turnaround in all you do to be the champion side and we have players who can do this,” he said to a query.
“There is no doubting that most teams are very strong in this CLT20 edition. We need to take calculated risks and bowl in the right areas to be a better side in a given situation,” the former England fast bowler said.
For his part, Ruhunu captain Mahela Udawatta said that though in the past many Sri Lankan teams struggled in the CLT20 because they were not up to the mark, his team was capable of playing well.
“It is great to have someone like Sanath Jayasuriya. But the important thing is that we won the championship back home despite Sanath missing the semifinals and the final,” he pointed out.