Keemo Paul, one of the three overaged players selected for the West Indies Under-19 squad, said that the daily training with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) academy coaches has given him great confidence to perform to his expectations during the 2017 Regional Super50 tournament.
Paul, the 18-year-old who was the vice-captain of the victorious West Indies Under-19 team at the 2016 International Cricket Council (ICC) Youth World Cup in Bangladesh, will make up the Regional youth side as one of the players who will not feature in the 2018 Youth World Cup.
“I have been doing a lot of training with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) academy coaches both in the gym and in the nets. It helped me to improve my strengths and work on my weaknesses so I am confident,” he pointed out.
Paul played in the last Regional Super50 tournament with the West Indies U-19s, in which he scored 15 runs from three matches while be bowled without capturing a scalp, but this time around the all-rounder feels he is better prepared to deliver.
“I am confident of doing well,” he said.
He added, “These players are preparing to defend the U-19 World Cup so I will be happy to share my experience and render assistance in other areas which will help them going forward”.
According to a West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) source, the all-rounder was selected because the WICB wants to continue to nurture his talent with hopes of him ascending to the highest level like they did with other outstanding youth players over the years.
Meanwhile, Paul’s Guyanese counterpart, Junior Cricketer-of-the-Year 2016, Bhaskar Yadram wants to hit the ground running, and make an immediate impact.
“I’m very excited,” said the opening batsman.
He added, “My main aim is to score as many runs as possible, and at the same time get wickets. It’s a great opportunity so I want to make full use of it”.
The duo will depart today for Antigua. While the final squad is yet to be confirmed by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), a source close to the WICB selection panel informed Chronicle Sport that the Guyanese duo will be part of the 14-man squad.
The Under-19s will do battle in Group A of the Super50 which runs from January 24 to February 18 in Antigua and Barbados.
Title-holders Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, along with Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Windward Islands Volcanoes and visiting English County Kent Spitfires,have also been installed in Group A.
Group B, meanwhile, comprises last year losing finalists Barbados Pride, Guyana Jaguars, Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners, Jamaica Scorpions and ICC Americas.
The Super50 tournament will serve as part of the build-up for the Under-19s as they ready themselves for the defence of their ICC Youth World Cup title captured last year in Bangladesh.
(Taken from Guyana Chronicle)