West Indies batting legend Brian Lara will travel to India with the Trinidad and Tobago team for the Champions League Twenty20 tournament, commencing on September 17 in Mohali.
Although not a formal part of the team management, Lara during his visit will play a dual role of tourism ambassador and a mentor for the Red Force.
Keen to help the team during the competition, the former West Indies skipper said: “I am just going to be there, not a part of management but as a former cricketer I am willing to lend a hand in any way I can. I hope I will have a chance to interact with the guys while in India and whatever way I can help. I have always had an open door policy and I look forward to working with the guys, the management, the captain Denesh Ramdin and all the players.”
As a T&T Sports Ambassador, Lara had played a similar role as unofficial adviser to the team during the recently-concluded Caribbean Premier League.
“It’s an honour to be part of the upcoming trip. I’m happy to be associated with Trinidad & Tobago’s participation. We have a team that will make us proud,” he said. The Ministry of Tourism have sponsored the T&T team to help them prepare for the T20 tournament in India.
The Denesh Ramdin-led team, which includes mystery spinner Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons and Samuel Badree, will take on the added responsibility of marketing T&T on the international stage.
The T&T team, which is all set to leave for the subcontinent on Monday, will play a warm-up game before opening their campaign against Brisbane Heat in Ranchi on September 22.
Source-IndiaExpress
