Da Silva ready for Super50 challenge 

Trinidad and Tobago’s Red Force Vice-Captain Joshua Da Silva is looking forward to playing at home for the Regional Super50 Cup.“It’s always an honor to represent the country. Every time I step on the field, I put my best foot forward because this is what has given me the stepping stone in my career and what started my career. So yes, always grateful to represent the red, white and black,” said Da Silva.

Red Force will be seeking its 13th Super50 title when it welcomes seven regional teams for the month-long tournament to be held at three venues in T&T — Queen’s Park Oval, Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, San Fernando, and at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial ground at the University of the West Indies in St. Augustine.

West Indies A team captain said, “It’s been good. We’ve had some good practice games. A couple were washed out actually but personally, for me I got some runs, I got to spend some time in the middle so if I could just take that form and carry it on, into the competition.”Da Silva is also looking forward to crossing swords with players he recently played with for the West Indies, West Indies “A” team and St Kitts Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Like, Jair Mc Allister, an exciting fast-bowler from Barbados, whom he captained with Windies “A” in Bangladesh, earlier this year.

“Really exciting! I’m good friends with him. We share some good, funny laughs. So yes, I always enjoy a good competition. I have a few other boys I’d like to get a piece of as well. So hopefully, I can get on top of them and get Trinidad some results.”

West Indies’ Alzarri Joseph during the third Test against England. Associated Press / Ricardo Mazalan, file

One of the teams, the Red Force will be battling against is Leeward Islands Hurricanes, who will be boasting new skipper Alzarri Joseph and Jamaican Oshane Thomas, the two quickest bowlers in the Caribbean. The duo can possibly form the most bowling-potent partnership during the Super 50 and Da Silva is looking forward to the duel.

Red Force will be going into the tournament without former captain Nicholas Pooran, who has made himself unavailable. Da Silva reiterated that Pooran, who was named T&T’s “International Cricketer of The Year” will be missed during the tournament.

“Of course, the experience that he brings, it’ll be a massive loss. But I think it’s an opportunity for somebody else to put their hands up. I know he’ll be cheering on from the outside, lending his advice and helping us in each and every way that we can.”

“We have Sunil, who’s been around for a very long time, skipper Darren, Jason Mohamed. We have a lot of experience in the camp and I have no doubt who ever given the opportunity in his position will do well.”