Talented wicketkeeper/batsman Joshua Persaud and his Guyanese counterpart Bhaskar Yadram will leave for Grenada tomorrow to join 18 of the region’s best youth cricketers for a 12-day training camp, which ends on December 20.
The camp officially starts the WICB’s preparation for the 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup to be held in New Zealand.
After the camp is completed a West Indies Under-19 team will be selected to compete in next month’s Regional Super50 tournament.
The 20-member preliminary squad will undergo training, and will also receive physical assessment along with life skills sessions and mental preparation.
However, Persaud says he’s ready for the training camp, adding that the achievement is another opportunity for him to showcase his talent.
At 16-year-old, Persaud was the youngest member of the national Under-19 squad this year, and according to the Chase Academy student, the opportunity this time will further develop his game.
“I see this as a great opportunity for me. It will develop my game even better, in terms of working with different coaches and being among other players from across the Caribbean,” Persaud related.
Like any other young cricketer, Persaud has his goals set out, knowing he has put in the work and it is just a matter of execution as he prepares to make an impact with every given opportunity.
“We have two practice matches, and I am looking forward to do well, and at the same time score at least a century in one of the games,” Persaud said.
He added “One of my main goals is to work hard and secure a spot in the final 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’s losing finalists Barbados Pride, Guyana Jaguars, Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners, Jamaica Scorpions and ICC Americas.
The 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 earlier this year in Bangladesh.
A management team, led by head coach Graeme West and comprising Dwain Gill, Anthony Gray, Khevyn Williams and Zephyrinus Nicholas, will oversee the camp.
SQUAD: Keagan Simmonds, Kirstan Kallicharan, Cephas Cooper, Navin Bidaisee, Matthew Patrick, Te-Shawn Alleyne, Johann Jeremiah, Emmanuel Stewart, Johnnel Eugene, Daneal Dupigny, Alick Athanaze, Jerellius Louis, Javier Spence, Kian Pemberton, Joshua Persaud, Bhaskar Yadram, Jeavor Royal.
(Taken from Guyana Chronicle)