Local Cricket Roundup
February 6th 2009

Pollard pre-valued at US $60,000 in IPL auction

Kieron Pollard, the big-hitting Trinidadian all- rounder, has been pre-valued at US$60 000,when the lucrative Indian Premier League auction is staged today.

Fast bowler Fidel Edwards will be the highest valued West Indies player. The 26-year old Barbadian is one of eight West Indies players that will be involved in the media frenzy along with Sylvester Joseph, Darren Sammy, Pollard, Andre Fletcher, Kieron Powell, Fidel Edwards, Dwayne Smith and Kemar Roach.

Edwards, who recently crested 100 wickets in Tests on the recent tour of New Zealand, has been valued at US$150 000, while rookie pacer Roach has been pencilled in at US$50 000.

The West Indians will be among 112 other players, including 27 Australians, 21 Englishmen, 15 Sri Lankans and 13 South Africans, who will go under the hammer in the multi-million dollar event.

IPL commissioner Lalit Modi said he was pleased with the interest shown in the tournament.

“Clearly the Indian Premier League has set new standards in helping uncover and hone some exciting new talents, that have gone on to gain international recognition,” said Modi.

“All of which augurs well for development of world cricket. We are extremely happy with the interest the league has garnered globally.”

England star Kevin Pietersen is set to fetch the highest price at the auction, with franchises expected to pay around US$1.35 million. Teammate Andrew Flintoff is tipped to g at around US$950 000.

New South African batting sensation JP Duminy is also one of the highest valued players at $300 000.

The IPL runs from April 10 to May 29.

Central’s Twenty20 bowls off on Tuesday

Close to $25,000 in prizes and incentives will be at stake,when the 2009 Ramsingh’s Sports -sponsored Twenty20 Series of the Central Zonal Council of the T&T Cricket Board bowls off on Tuesday at venues throughout Central Trinidad.

According to Interim Secretary of the Zone, Rambhai Patel, teams and players are keen in getting into the exciting afternoon action which has attracted massive spectator interest.

And Nal Ramsingh of main sponsor - Ramsingh’s Sports World said it is a tremendous feeling to get involved with the development of the game in Central Trinidad.

“ Business people need to help the communities and we have decided to come forward again to assist in the overall development of the sport in Central Trinidad. I am certain that Central Zone under the guidance of Patel, Samuel Saunders and Lennox Sankersingh will emerge as the leading zone in T&T,” Ramsingh said.

Matches start at 4.30 pm.

Ramsingh’s Sports Twenty20 Fixtures

Round One - Feb 10 & 11

Group A

Esmeralda v Supersonic; Caroni Conquerors v Glenora; John Peter Rd v Bye.

Group B

Brickfield v Sheffield; Bank Village v Orangefield; Perseverance v Bye.

Group C

Balmain v Esperanza; Lange Park v Valley Boys; Dow Village v Bye.

Group D

Chickland v Exchange;McBean v Caparo; Felicity v Bye.

Round Two - Feb 17 & 18

Group A

John Peter Road v Supersonic; Glenora v Esmeralda; Caroni Conquerors v Bye.

Group B

Sheffield v Bank Village; Brickfield v Perserverance; Orange Field v Bye.

Group C

Valley Boys v Balmain; Lange v Dow Village; Esperanza v Bye.

Group D

Chickland v McBean; Felicity v Caparo; Exchange v Bye.

Round Three - Feb 25 & 26

Group A

Supersonic v Caroni Conquerors; John Peter Road v Esmeralda; Glenora v Bye.

Group B

Perseverance v Sheffield; Orangefield v Brickfield; Bank Village.

Group C

Dow Village v Esperanza; Balmain v Lange Park; Valley Boys v Bye.

Group D

Felicity v Exchange; Caparo v Chickland; Bank Village v Bye.

Round Four - March 2 & 4

Group A

Esmeralda v Caroni Conquerors; Glenora v John Peter Road; Supersonic v Bye.

Group B

Sheffield v Orangefield; Perseverance v Bank Village; Brickfield v Bye.

Group C

Esperanza v Valley Boys; Dow Village v Balmain; Lange Park v Bye.

Group D

Exchange v Caparo ; McBean v Felicity; Chickland v Bye.

Round Five - March 11 & 12

Group A

Supersonic v Glenora; Caroni Conquerors v John Peter Road; Esmeralda v Bye.

Group B

Orangefield v Perserverance; Bank Village v Brickfield; Sheffield v Bye.

Group C

Esperanza v Lange Park; Valley Boys v Dow Village; Balmain v Bye.

Group D

Exchange v McBean; Felicity v Chickland; Caparo v Bye.

Quarterfinal - March 24 & 25.

Semifinal - April 7 & 8.

Final -April 13.

TCL AGM on Tuesday

The Trincity Cricket league will hold its Annual General Meeting (agm) for all participating clubs at the El Dorado South Hindu School on Tuesday from 7 pm.

Registration fee for each competition is $250 and it must accompany application forms. This year's competitions open on February 28.

For further information contact Bernard Bailey, the league's secretary at 640-0443 or president Carol Jitman at 640-0255.