‘Reds’ Perreira, Neita eyeing cracking Super50 tournament
Published:Tuesday | October 3, 2023 | 12:09 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
VETERAN regional cricket analyst Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira says the upcoming CG United Super50 Cup, set to bowl off on October 17 in Trinidad and Tobago, could possibly be the best regional 50-over tournament in a while.
With the bulk of the top local talents set to participate because of West Indies’ failure to qualify for the 50-over World Cup, Perreira said that this now presents a glorious opportunity for the players to showcase their talent.
“This is an opportunity and, hopefully, all the players who are named in their respective teams will be showcased, as it’s almost like a window is being offered to us similarly to the Indian Premier League (IPL). This is, maybe, going back to 2019 where we had the best available players for the respective affiliates, and what is important is that the weather stays well,” he stated.
Perreira, who was honoured by Cricket West Indies in 2019 for his dedicated service to the game of cricket and sports in the region for close to 60 years, added that selectors could use the opportunity to earmark fresh and upcoming all-rounders and fast bowlers who could, in the future, take over the mantle for West Indies cricket.
“Yes, I think the selectors should certainly take full opportunity in seeing some new talent in players who haven’t gotten an opportunity. We have a situation where some players are moving on in age, so this is also an opportunity to look at new all-rounders and, certainly, fast bowlers who need to be given an opportunity. We had players who did well on the ‘A’ tour who haven’t been seen any further, so this presents an excellent opportunity to have a much more open mind,” Perreira explained.
Mark Neita, a former Jamaica batsman and president of Melbourne Cricket Club (CC), agrees with Perreira that the upcoming tournament should produce some quality performances. He added that it could be a blessing in disguise that the West Indies will not participate in the upcoming 50-over World Cup.
“Yes, I think it could actually be a blessing in disguise, as it’s been a long while where we’ve had the West Indies players available for the Super50. I think, over the years, the competition has been watered down due to the absence in the so-called elite West Indian players,” said Neita.
Neita, who also bowled right-arm medium pace and was an occasional wicketkeeper, featured in 45 first-class and 32 list A matches between 1978 and 1992, added that the veteran players should use the competition to stamp their class on regional cricket.
“This is also a perfect opportunity not only for the competition to be possibly be one of the better ones in recent years but for these players to shine. I’m looking forward to it. I think it will be a very competitive season and I hope the players will use the opportunity to step up to the plate and justify their selection into a West Indies side,” the Melbourne CC president said.