Caribbean Sports Network

All-rounder Rayad Emrit has emerged as a potential favourite to be selected on the Trinidad and Tobago team for the West Indies Caribbean T20 tournament after a successful stint in Barbados with CGI Maple. The group stages of the regional Twenty20 tournament will be played in Barbados from July 22 to 26 at the Kensington Oval with the knockout round at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain from July 29 to 31.

Emrit had excellent performances in the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) Sagicor General Twenty20 tournament for CGI Maple, reaching the semi-finals before being knocked out by ICBL Empire via net run rate after inclement weather resulted in no play.

“I should think I will have an advantage because I am use to the conditions in Barbados and it would take me less time to adjust compared to some of the other players. However, I am not taking this for granted because I still need to prove myself to the selectors in trials” said Emrit yesterday.

The Trinidad and Tobago player explained that his bowling has improved significantly from the experience in Barbados and believes that he will offer more variety to the bowling attack.

“In Barbados I bowled during the middle overs and in the death which I really enjoyed. This is something I do not really do with Trinidad and Tobago. I have done well in the trial matches bowling at the death and I think for the national team I will do a good job and this will offer another option for the team” said Emrit.

The Alescon Comets all-rounder did not have a good performance with the bat in the first trial match but is confident of improving on his next opportunity.

“My batting was disappointing but I can improve. In Barbados I batted much higher up the order and I was successful there. I would like to bat higher up if given the opportunity” said Emrit.

He described the opportunity of playing club cricket in Barbados as “worthwhile” and is considering the offer of returning to playing 50 over cricket

“Playing in Barbados has helped me because it was good to play competitive cricket. The competition in Barbados is very stiff and so it our trials in Trinidad and Tobago. There are several players vying for the similar spot in the national team and this experience has helped improve my game” said Emrit.

The former West Indies player revealed that he is focusing on bowling more yorkers which would is a vital asset in Twenty20 cricket.

“I am looking to improve on bowling yorkers. This area is something I need to improve and it has been going well for me” said Emrit.