Darren Ganga says A-team playing for psychological factor

by Gary Smith
for Caribbean Net News

Friday, June 24, 2005

DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka:  Darren Ganga, captain of the West Indies A-team currently on a one month of in Sri Lanka, insisted that if his team can come away victorious in their series against Sri Lanka 'A' it would be a great psychological factor for the senior side in their upcoming Test and one-day series.

"I am sure it is going to give our senior side a lot of confidence if we can come out on top of the series against Sri Lanka 'A'," Ganga said at a press conference held at Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters on Wednesday.

"The fact that some of the players will be considered for selection to the senior team on their performances in the series is a motivation for us to do well as a team," continued Ganga. 

"Doing well here is going to do you a whole lot of good to your career. Every single player in this team is on the fringe of playing for West Indies, some have already done so," he said. 

Already prepared for the task

The Trinidadian said his team was quite aware of the tracks in Sri Lanka and with more than half the team already familiar with the conditions, they were quite prepared for it.

"Five to seven guys have been here before with the senior team. We have spoken already of what we are going to encounter and we have worked out ways of dealing with the Sri Lankan opposition. We are quite aware that it is not going to be easy," said Ganga.

The 26-year-old opener believes that if West Indies cricket is to get back at being the once-invincible side they were, the board will have to start investing in more 'A' tours in order to keep the upcoming players well developed and intact. 

"I have to admit that our senior team's performances have been inconsistent. There is a lot to be done in West Indies cricket in terms of getting things right," said Ganga.

"The senior side is going through a bad patch due to inconsistent performances. Both on and off-field factors have contributed to the fluctuating fortunes of Caribbean cricket, but we should not be taken for granted."

"There are young players who keep emerging year after year. The West Indies cricket board is feverishly trying to put things in place. That is why this tour is very important."

The West Indies A-team is scheduled to play three unofficial Test matches and five unofficial one-dayers during their tour. 

   Back...

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version