The national Under-15 and Under-19 squads began preparations for this year’s regional cricket competitions with a 12- day preparatory camp.The camps are being held simultaneously at the Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence Hostel and indoor facility at La Bonne Intention on the East Coast of Demerara.
Under the watchful eyes of coach Adrian Amsterdam, the U-19 squad was revealed to the Guyana Chronicle yesterday afternoon by Amsterdam and captain Travis Persaud.
There were no real surprises in the 14-man squad, with Persaud (Travis), Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Ronaldo Alimohamed and Akinie Adams, returning from last year.
The other members of the squad are: Ronaldo Renee, Malcolm Hubbard, Keshram Shabodan, Joel Seitaram, Looknauth Chinkoo, Bhaskar Yadram, Joshua Persaud, Sylus Tyndall and Raymond Perez. The manager is David Black.
Meanwhile, in an invited comment, Amsterdam said he will be trying to identify areas of weakness in the players so that those areas can be worked on as preparations for St Vincent continue. Amsterdam expressed satisfaction with the level of fitness of most of the players so far.
Further, the coach revealed how pleased he was with the squad selected.
The Regional U-19 Boys’ tournament will take place between July 27 and August 21, giving the region’s best young players their first opportunity to showcase their talent and impress the West Indies selection panel.
Guyana are the defending champions in both formats. They won the previous three-day competition which was played two years ago here, and have won the 50 overs-a-side title over the last two years at home and in Jamaica.
This year, the tournament will comprise three rounds of three-day matches, which take centre stage over the first 11 days, and the Youth Super50 which fields seven teams – the six territorial sides from Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Trinidad & Tobago and Windward Islands – along with a composite side from ICC Americas.
Each of the teams will play the other once in a round-robin competition, featuring seven rounds of 50 overs-a-side matches, with the two teams accumulating the most points qualifying for the Final to determine the tournament winner on August 21 at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex.The Guyanese will depart for St Vincent on July 24.
U-15 Squad
On the other hand, Sachin Singh will lead the Under-15 squad which was disclosed by manager Andy Ramnarine yesterday.
The other members of the squad are: Seon Glasgow, Yeudistir Persaud, Mohamed Shoaib Shaw, Jarron France, Lance Roberts, Gevon Schultz, Amos Sarwan, Dwaine Dick, Nickeen Noble, Sheldon Charles, Leon Swamy, Nigel Deodat and Daniel Paul.
The squad will be coached by Julian Moore. Grenada will host the tournament from July 27 to August 3.
The Guyanese captured the title last year on home soil by topping the points table, following victories over Leeward Islands, Jamaica and Windwards, and in spite of no-results against Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados.
The tournament – in its 21st year – will be contested under a round-robin format, featuring five rounds of matches with the team accumulating the most points being declared champions.
The Regional Under-15 tournament commenced in 1996 with then hosts T&T taking the inaugural title. They hold the record for the most titles with seven, also winning the title in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2010 and 2013.
Reigning champions 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 Guyana Chronicle)