Warner congratulates T&T cricket team for win in India

Jack Warner has congratulated the Trinidad and Tobago national cricket team for its 44-run win in the Champions’ League Twenty-20 opener against Somerset in Bangalore, India.

Read about the game: Terrific Trinidad & Tobago thrash Somerset

Read the CMC report on the game

Speaking from Cairo, Egypt where he is attending the Under-20 World Cup football tournament, the Chaguanas West MP echoed the sentiments of sporting commentators.

"The Trinidad and Tobago team displayed class in cricket. They looked calm, confident and organized on the field, and everyone agrees that their performance was exemplary.

"They must be congratulated not just for winning but for doing so against tremendous odds going in as ‘underdogs’ and as the only Caribbean team," he said in a media release.

Warner added, "I believe T&T cricket fans will be happy knowing that we have fielded the best players available for national service and in the end we have showed the world quality sports and obtained a victory for it. That is what we must strive for: excellence."

Last month, just days ahead of the TT team’s departure for India, Warner intervened to demand that Captain Darrin Ganga be given leave from State-owned Petrotrin to play in India.

The energy company had denied Ganga leave but Warner's intervention prompted Energy Minister Conrad Enill to tell the company to make arrangements to send Ganga to India.

Read the story: T&T Cricket captain gets leave to play in India

Warner said, "I feel vindicated and I am sure the cricket fans feel vindicated too that it was only after their outcry and their demands that the team must only be comprised of the best talent available that Ganga was able to play for our country.

"I would add that today’s (Monday) win is also a victory for those cricket fans who insisted that Ganga must not be left out.”

The Chaguanas West MP said the result in the opening game provides an an opportunity to rally the population behind the team.

"This could be an opportunity to take local and national cricket to another level if we can harness the momentum that will come out of the Champions’ League," he said.