Captains charged up ahead of Haiti match

Daren Ganga, the Trinidad & Tobago, believes the fund-raising charity Twenty20 against Guyana in Port of Spain will be an emotional affair for both sides. The match, to be played on January 20, is to aid victims of the catastrophic earthquake which struck Haiti last week and Ganga expected a full house at the Queen's Park Oval.

"My team-mates and I were saddened and overwhelmed by the enormity of the disaster that has befallen the people of Haiti from the awesome earthquake," he said. "We needed no persuasion to play in the charity match for our suffering and unfortunate CARICOM (Caribbean community) brothers and sisters."

Ganga believed T&T's success at the inaugural Champions League Twenty20, where their stunning run to the final not only won Indian hearts but also brought alive the tournament, would similarly bring the crowds to their feet in the upcoming match.

Guyana's captain, Sewnarine Chattergoon, was equally sentimental when asked about the disastrous situation in Haiti and his team's decision to take part in the fund-raising event. "The Guyana Cricket Board, the team management and us the players acknowledge unhesitatingly how critical it is to show solidarity and support for our fellow Caribbean families in their moment of need and desperation," he said.

The International Red Cross estimates that about three million people were affected by the earthquake, which devastated the capital Port-au-Prince and caused an estimated 45,000-50,000 deaths.

The two teams to be involved in the charity match are currently playing each other in a historic first-class four-day game at the Sir Vivian Richards Ground in Antigua.

T&T squad: Daren Ganga (capt), Lendl Simmons, William Perkins, Jason Mohammed, Imran Khan, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Samuel Badree, Sherwin Ganga, Dave Mohammed, Ravi Rampaul, Navin Stewart, Daron Cruickshank, Rayad Emrit, Richard Kelly.

Guyana: Sewnarine Chattergoon (capt), Travis Dowlin, Assad Fudadin, Rajindra Chandrika, Narsingh Deonarine, Royston Crandon, Vishaul Singh, Esuan Crandon, Veersammy Permaul, Derwin Christian, Devendra Bishoo, Brendon Bess, Trevor Benn.