Moontown

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (WICB) — The West Indies will open their three-match One-Day International Series against Sri Lanka on Monday at the Sinhalese Sports Club. The series will form the main preparation for both teams ahead of the International Cricket Council’s Cricket World Cup 2011.

After Sunday’s training session, Windies skipper Darren Sammy outlined the side’s plans for the series-opener as well as the entire series. He noted that the aim was to get off to a winning start and set the tone for the three-match rubber.

“This series is a new start for us. It would mean everything to the team to get off to a winning start against the Sri Lanka in their own backyard. There is all to play for and we will take the field confident that we can win. A victory tomorrow (Monday) would set the tone for the series and would also give us a boost ahead of the World Cup.

“The pitch we will be playing on looks similar to the one we played on against the President’s XI when we were here for the Test Series last November. It is green but back then it did not do much … not much movement … so we will play accordingly. We will be looking to play well in all three disciplines. The Sri Lankans play really good cricket, especially at home, and we have to be at our best.”

Sammy added, “We are happy to have Ramnaresh Sarwan back in the squad for this series and for the World Cup. It is a massive boost for the team. He’s an outstanding batsman and a very knowledgeable and experienced cricketer at the international level. We all know the calibre of player he is and he will add a lot of quality to our batting line-up. I know he will give his best for the team and put his best foot forward. We have a very good team spirit in the camp and Sarwan has fitted in well on his return.

“Looking at the make-up of our squad we have a number of allrounders. It is good to have players who can make match-winning contributions in more than one department. We all have to go out and play according to the team plan and stick to team goals.”

Teams
West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Chris Gayle, Adrian Barath, Devon Smith Ramnaresh Sarwan, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Shiv Chanderpaul, Kieron Pollard, Carlton Baugh, Sulieman Benn, Nikita Miller, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawerdena, Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Thisara Perera, Muttian Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kalusekera, Dilhara Fernandao, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis (Caribbean News Now)

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Ramnaresh Sarwan is happy to be back in West Indies colours and is looking forward to the three One Day Internationals against Sri Lanka. The 30-year-old said he is focused on helping the team in the upcoming series and also to play his part in the International Cricket Council’s Cricket World Cup.

Ramnaresh Sarwan

“It feels really great to be back. We had a really good workout today and so far I am just happy to fit into the team again. We have a very good team vibe going and it is very important that we maintain that and build on that. It is also important that we get off to a good start in this series and try to get that early momentum,” Sarwan said.

The experienced right-hander was speaking after the Windies had a full training session at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Saturday. The team was due to have another session on Sunday afternoon as they prepare for the first match on Monday at the historic SSC, followed by the other matches on Thursday, February 3 and Sunday, February, 6.

Sarwan enters the series with an impressive record in ODIs. He has made 156 appearances and scored 5,098 runs at an average of 43.94 per innings, including four centuries.

Looking ahead to the three-match rubber he added: “The pitch at the SSC is normally a good one for batting. I have done well here (Sri Lanka) before. I am just hoping to maintain the same level of success I have had before, make a major contribution to the team, and try to bat us into winning positions.”

Sarwan said, “The greatest dream is to win the Cricket World Cup for all the people of the Caribbean and all those around the world who support us. We have to give Darren (Sammy) our full support. Obviously, he is still a bit new to the job as captain so it is important that he gets our full backing. We need to be consistent as a team and that would give us a really good chance of winning.”

The One Day Series was originally slated for December but was rescheduled due to bad weather. For the World Cup the Windies have been drawn in Group B alongside South Africa, Netherlands, India, Bangladesh, England and Ireland in the 14 team event.

West Indies squad:
Darren Sammy (captain), Adrian Barath, Carlton Baugh Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Shiv Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, Nikita Miller, Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith. (Caribbean News Now)

TOUR SCHEDULE

West Indies in Sri Lanka
Jan 31 – 1st ODI at SSC, Colombo
Feb 3 – 2nd ODI at SSC, Colombo
Feb 6 – 3rd ODI at SSC, Colombo

West Indies World Cup Warm Up matches
Feb 12 – v Kenya at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Feb 16 – v Sri Lanka at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

West Indies World Cup Group B matches
Feb 24 – v South Africa (New Delhi)
Feb 28 – v Netherlands (New Delhi)
Mar 4 – v Bangladesh (Dhaka)
Mar 11 – v Ireland (Mohali)
Mar 17 – v England (Chennai)
Mar 20 – v India (Chennai)

by Global News Staff

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Chinese companies are getting ready to invest some US$1 billion in various projects in Guyana.

This was disclosed by Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Yu Wenzhe, when he addressed members of the Guyana Manufacturers Association over the weekend.

Yu disclosed that, to date, the total investment from China is over US$100 million in the field of mining and forestry.

He added that trade between Guyana and China continues to deepen and the two way investment is growing steadily. For the past 10 months of last year, the bilateral trade amounted to US$80 million, which he said is an increase of 14 percent.

The ambassador told the GMA that Chinese companies are showing deep interest in Guyana and several large companies have indicated that they are making plans to invest in Guyana, which he anticipated is to the tune of US$1 billion.

Guyana and China entered into diplomatic relations 40 years ago and Guyana has in the past received technical and cultural aid from that country. (Caribbean News Now)

by Global News Staff

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Former prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, A.N.R. Robinson made a few remarkable revelations when he testified on Friday before the Commission of Enquiry that is looking into the 1990 attempted coup by members of the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen.

Robinson, who has also served as the country’s president, testified that he had been told that former prime minister Patrick Manning had “in some way (been) implicated in the matter” but refused to elaborate since he had no evidence to support the statement.

The Trinidad Express newspaper reported that Robinson said following the attempted coup he was told reports implicated Manning as having knowledge of the matter.

“There were reports that Manning was, in some way, implicated in the matter, I don’t like to pursue matters which I do not have hard evidence.

“It has been reported to me in such a manner I would think will be taken seriously. I think it would create further friction in the country. But it has been mentioned in many circles that the absence of Manning in Parliament from the occasion and the time of his conduct afterwards and affiliation with the Muslimeen gave rise to speculation,” Robinson said.

Robinson said even former prime minister Basdeo Panday’s attitude left him feeling uncomfortable “because of his attitude during the course of what was taking place in the country, it was reported to me when he was told of this matter, he said, ‘Wake me up when it’s over.’ I thought it could mean wake me up when the Muslimeens have taken over.”

Earlier, Jillian Teague-Weekes testified that her father Mervwyn Nicholas-Teague was killed while he was attempting to flee the Red House. She said her father was an audio technician attached to the Government Broadcasting Unit. She added that her mother and family suffered emotionally and financially up to this day.

The Enquiry will continue on Monday, but Robinson will continue his testimony on Wednesday. (Caribbean News Now)