What, in normal circumstances would be merely the unofficial curtain-raiser of the 1999 local cricket season, a dress rehearsal for the regional combat ahead in the new Busta Cup competition, has become much more.
In short the Queen's Park Oval will, this morning, not only be playing host to a territorial rivalry-North versus South in the annual ICN-sponsored Gerry Gomez Classic. It will also be a trial ground, a proving pitch for 22 cricketers vying for places in the national squad for the opening Busta Cup game against Guyana at Guaracara Park next weekend. That match, like the new millennium, is a sure thing.
But a millennium bug of a problem-no match practice-has made adequate preparation for the unmovable date a real difficulty. Some three trial matches had to be cancelled either because of the unavailability of venues or the unsuitability of grounds because of the wet weather.
Last weekend just half of the scheduled two-day Busta Cup trial was possible. And while spinners Avidesh Samaroo and Mukesh Persad made the most of their time, bagging four wickets apiece, no batsman on the Ian Bishop XI was able to seize the time.
Needless to say then, the weekend will also be an anxious period for the national selectors.
``Hopefully we can get four days of cricket,'' was chairman Rangy Nanan's first, optimistic hope.
But of equally great concern to Nanan will be the form of the men wielding the willow.
``I would prefer to see the batsmen scoring runs,'' Nanan poignantly told the Express yesterday.
``The bowlers are experienced enough,'' he added, ``and they will feel more relaxed against Guyana if the batsmen get a big total. In South Africa, our bowlers are doing a fairly good jobs''
It was also not lost on the former regional wicket-taking record holder that the more desperate Caribbean need is for quality batsmen. Stability in the middle was also the preoccupation of another selector, national coach Bryan Davis, ``I would like to see occupation of the crease by the batsmen,'' Davis stressed.
``Not having had match practice, it does not mean that they cannot get themselves in and bat properly.''
Recent history should provide the decision-makers with some hope. In each of the last three Classics, there has been at least one ton. In 1996, South opener Suruj Ragoonath became the first batsman to score centuries in each innings of a game.
Then in the rain-ruined 1997 match, Richard Smith, leading the North, hit an accomplished 119.
Last year, it was West Indies captain Brian Lara who stole the show with a patient double century-216 not out-made largely in partnership with Lincoln Roberts who himself got 112. The pair set up an innings victory that allowed the ``Town Boys'' to regain the trophy.
Lara will not be a part of the line-up this time. But Roberts, whose promising start ended with an abysmal run in the regional matches, will have a chance once more to build a solid platform for the season. A good showing from the Tobagonian will be vital especially given the limited opportunity available to fringe players like Imran Jan and Zaheer Ali.
But with the absence of both Mervyn Dillon and Dinanath Ramnarine, there is also opportunity with-application-for bowlers like leg-spinners Vishal Persad-Maharaj and quickies Theodore Modeste and Asif Jan to stake their claims.
At this eleventh hour, wicket-taking, run-making headaches are the kind Nanan, Davis and company would gladly welcome.
Teams
North: Ian Bishop (Captain), Richard Smith, Leon Romero, Andre Lawrence, Imran Jan, Lincoln Roberts, Mark Ramkissoon, Asif Jan, Ricardo Paty, Ken Hazel, Peter Ramon-Fortune, Zaheer Ali, Vishal Persad-Maharaj.
South: David Williams (Captain), Suruj Ragoonath, Anil Balliram, Dennis Rampersad, Shazam Babwah, Jerry Jumadeen, Marlon Black, Andy Jackson, Kishore Lalchan, Navin Chan, Avidesh Samaroo, Muskesh Persad, Theodore Modeste.