Youngest player in Limacol CPL out to prove his worth

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – Most 17-year-olds in Trinidad and Tobago are either preparing for, or hoping to soon celebrate the completion of A level exams; others are considering which university to attend, while some youngsters’ concept of forward planning consists of organising whatever fete is scheduled for Friday night.
Seventeen-year-old Nicholas Pooran however, doesn’t have time to think about any of these things as he is too busy working on achieving some major career breakthroughs. One of these is representing his country’s team at the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League alongside cricket talents such as fellow Trinidadian Dwayne Bravo and franchise player Ross Taylor.

“Any 17-year-old who has been given an opportunity such as this would grasp it with both hands and that’s what I plan to do,” says the ambitious young wicketkeeper batsman.
Truth be told, Pooran is always ready to make Trinidad and Tobago proud, whether it is playing against other West Indian players like Chris Gayle or his fellow countryman Kieron Pollard. The Limacol CPL is Pooran’s opportunity to make his mark on the cricket arena under the watchful eyes of people around the region and the world.
Although he is the youngest player in the tournament, Pooran is no stranger to regional competition. He has represented his country in the Regional Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 competitions and was also a member of the Trinidad and Tobago school boys’ Under-18 squad which won the International School Cricket Premier League Twenty20 competition.
He also emerged from the 2012 Under-19 competition in Barbados as the leading glove man, snaring 14 dismissals in five matches during the three-day format.
More importantly, Pooran announced his arrival on the senior stage earlier this year with a handsome unbeaten 33 on Regional Super50 debut for Trinidad and Tobago in a 14- run victory over Windward Islands, and while he had only meagre returns in his remaining three games, his promise remained evident.
Commenting on this remarkable young man, David Williams, assistant coach for the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel team noted, “… he is a tremendous player. He is also a very young man, so I think we would want to watch him closely, and make sure he does the right things. With that talent, (I am sure) he has places to go.”
This Naparima College student, who plays for Clarke Road United in the domestic Premier League, understands the expectations that he has to live up to and does not plan to disappoint.
“I want to prove to people that the selectors have made a right decision in picking me.” Pooran’s first opportunity to play will come on July 31 when the Red Steel face the Guyana Amazon Warriors at Providence Stadium.
The inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premiere League begins on July 30 with 24 matches to be played across six Caribbean countries: Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.
The Queen’s Park Oval will host seven matches, including the two semi-final and final matches. (CPL)