Despite finishing joint-second place with Barbados in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) 50-Overs regional U-15 tournament which ended on Wednesday in Grenada, coach of the national team, Julian Moore said his charges played good cricket until their final round game against Trinidad and Tobago.
The Guyanese won three out of their four games played, and accumulated 20.8 points to tie with Barbados, but Moore said Guyana could have easily defended their title, if wasn’t for the crucial drop catches in the final round.
“Despite not winning, and those crucial drop catches, I thought the youngsters played good cricket. Most of our goals were achieved,” Moore told Chronicle Sport yesterday.
The 30-year-old added “The last round was not the best conditions for batting, there was a lot of moisture on the pitch, and we simply did not adjust to that, but having said that, our bowlers showed a lot of spirit, took six T&T wickets. But if we had latched on to those catches, the result could have been better.”
Further, the former youth player pointed out that the experience and opportunity to play at that level will definitely boost the youngsters’ cricket.
To this end, Moore pointed out that captain Sachin Singh, along with his last year’s teammates, Ashmead Nedd and Qumar Torrington were chosen on the West Indies youth squad for the England limited overs Youth Invitational tournament from August 10 to 21.
Meanwhile, during the tournament, T&T played unbeaten, and finished with 31.5 points.
Windward Islands had 13.5 points, Leeward Islands and Jamaica finished with 9.9 points..
The Regional Under-15 tournament commenced in 1996 with then hosts T&T taking the inaugural title.
The reigning champions hold the record for the most titles with eight, also winning the title in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2010 and 2013.
The Guyanese captured the title last year on home soil by topping the points table. Guyana have claimed the top prize four times comprising back-to-back titles twice in 1998 and 1999, and again 2014 and last year.
Jamaica have won the title on four occasions (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011) and Barbados have won three times (1997, 2004, 2012).
Windwards emerged champions eight years ago, leaving Leewards yet to win the title.
(Taken from windiescricket.com)