THE WI AND REGIONAL U19 THREAD!!

[AFRO]

Well right now there's a lot of cricket being played by that age group at both regional and international level so i thought i'd start a lickle thread about it, because in reality many of these players will be representing WI in the future, i mean just look at THIS scorecard from six years ago!!!, the wi u19 team had two legends in the making in Roach and Narine, plus Pollard, Leon Johnson, Fletcher etc, so you just never know who is gonna come through the system and turn into top class players, although if the truth be told both Roach and Narine were both destined to reach the top as they were monsters at junior level, Narine especially got around 100 wickets combined for trinidad and WI u19!! ,

The current team reads as follows

Kraigg Brathwaite (barbados opening batsman-19 years old)
Sunil Ambris (Winwards top order batsman/wicket keeper 19 years old)
Anthony Alleyne (Barbados top order batsman 19 years old)
John campbell (Jamaican opening batsman 18 years old)
Kavem Hodge (winwards middle order batsman 19 years old)
Keiron Joseph (Trindad middle order batsman 19 years old)
Kyle Mayers (Barbados alrounder 19 years old)
Akeal Hosain (Trinidad alrounder 19 years old)
Stephen Katwaroo (Trinidad wicket-keeper 19 years old)
Amir Khan (Guyana leg-break bowler 19 years old)
Justin Greaves (Barbados alrounder 18 years old)
Marquino Mindley (Jamaican pacer 17 years old)
Jerome Joones (barbados pacer 17 years old)
Ronfeld Beaton (Guyana pacer 19 years old)
Derone Davis (Trinidad alrounder 19 years old)

The last team we sent to the u19 world cup was THIS team who lost to Pakistan in the semi-finals, i remember watching that game and to be honest it was obvious we relied too heavily on the brillience of Brathwaite with the bat and Holder with the ball, both of them delivered in that game, a then 17 year old Brathwaite got 85 and Holder bowled an absolutely stunning spell and removed the two openers quickly, but there were just too many average players around them for the team to progress further, although since then Dowrich has come through nicely, Cariah had an impressive debut fc season for Trinidad and is now in the HPC while Bolan has just come through for Leewards and done well, Blackwood has talent too,

I certainly think this current team is far better though, for a start they have been playing together for the last two years or so unlike the last team who were pretty much put together on a whim, oh no this current team has done their homework and has had it's ups and downs, they beat Australia in a three odi and one test series last year HERE and then went to India to play in a mini competition featuring Australia, India and Sri-lanka HERE , things didn't go so well though and they lost five out of six matches, two each to India and SL and one to Australia, but during the competition several players were posting on Facebook claiming the conditions they were staying in weren't good, the pitches were bad and they didn't like the food,

Maybe it was just excuses but to be fair they lost a few very tight matches they should have won, especially against Sri-lanka, in the end though they got their act together and beat Australia twice to claim third place, and no surprise that it was India who won the competition because they seemed to have older players than everyone else and those players had lost of Fc experience, plus they were at home,

Anyway lets look at our team in more detail, of course they depend on Kraigg a lot and thats no surprise considering he's a test player, but unlike in the last world cup he should get much more support this time with the likes of Alleyne in the middle order, a young man who has tons at that level and plays for the academy team of the English county Surrey, where he's also scored big runs, then we have Ambris who has really stepped up this year and is the brother of Romel Currency, Kavem Hodge is also a very good batter and has already played his FC debut for Winwards, they will be supported by the likes of Mayers, Greaves and Hosain who are also very decent down the order with the bat,

Now moving onto the bowling attack, firstly Greaves has already been making noises with Bim having been named in their 15 man squad a few times for the last four day competition, his record at this level is very good and i see him making his Fc debut for either CCC or Bim next season, then we have Jerome Jones, another pacer from Bim, and i must say out of all the pacer he's the one who might turn into superstar, he's a very fast lefty and tall too, lately he's been taking wickets for fun for WI and i see him being a big threat in this world cup, we also have the Jamaican Mindley who has forced himself into the team off the back of some good performances in the last u19 regional competition, i hear he's super quick aswell, and to back them up we have the Guyana Leggy Amir Khan who's u19s record is almost as good as Narine's, he's got all the tricks too, add Derone Davis and Hosain's left-arm spin, plus Campbell's off-spin and we have all the bases covered in the bowling unit,

And as i've always said if this team gets anything over 240 then most of the time thats game over because our attack is just that good, the world cup is kicking off in a few days but before then we've played three warm up matches against Bang HERE, Australia HERE and Namibia last night HERE and won all three with no problems, i think that Australia win was quite impressive considering it was in their own backyard,

Out of all the teams in there i fear India and Pakistan the most, as they are usually packed with good batters and spinners that make it tough to get runs, but with our pacers i think we'll have the edge, England and SA will be tough too no doubt, i just hope our guys can at least reach the semi-final again and then take if from there, our first game i think is against India so we'll see how that goes.

EDIT: HERE is a video of the pakistan semi-final .

[AFRO]

As for the u19s regional competition, to be honest i haven't been following the competition relgiously but having taken the time to look at a few scores a few names have stood out, one kid from Trinidad who's an opener by the name of Solozano is really mashing up the place, he just got a 160 not out against Guyana to go with another ton he got in the earlier rounds, it's great to see a young batsman getting big scores, lets hope it continues, also the Bim wicket-keeper Shai Hope has got himself a ton or two aswell, many believe he could be a major player in the future so he's one to keep an eye on,

On the bowling front the Guyana spinners Pereria (leggy) and Mooti-kanhai (left-arm) have taken some wickets while Jamaica's tall 17 year old pacer Chris Powell took a 5fer the other day, and thats what i wanna see, more pacers standing up,

There is one name thats been a disppoinment though!!.. and thats GRANPA SHIV'S SON!!! ..after all di big talk what a LET DOWN that yute has been!!..that old skunt mussa banned him from di bowling machine to rhatid!!..same old SELFISHpaul!! .

[mikesiva]

That is interesting, Afro...thanks for that background context, especially that match from 2006, which puts this tournament in context. Roach and Narine have moved into the Windies team, and Pollard has become a limited overs specialist. Fletcher, Jason Mohammed and Leon Johnson are in and out of the A team, while Brooks, Searles and Perkins are yet to establish themselves in their regional side.

Here are our fixtures....

Sun Aug 12
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 7th Match, Group C - India Under-19s v West Indies Under-19s
Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville

Mon Aug 13
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 12th Match, Group C - Papua New Guinea Under-19s v West Indies Under-19s
Endeavour Park, Townsville

Thu Aug 16
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 24th Match, Group C - West Indies Under-19s v Zimbabwe Under-19s
Endeavour Park No 2, Townsville

Sun Aug 19
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 9th Place Play-off Quarter-Final - TBC v TBC
Peter Burge Oval, Brisbane

Sun Aug 19
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 9th Place Play-off Quarter-Final - TBC v TBC
Allan Border Field, Brisbane

Sun Aug 19
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST Quarter-Final - TBC v TBC
Endeavour Park No 2, Townsville

Sun Aug 19
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST Quarter-Final - TBC v TBC
Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville

Mon Aug 20
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 9th Place Play-off Quarter-Final - TBC v TBC
WEP Harris Oval, Brisbane

Mon Aug 20
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 9th Place Play-off Quarter-Final - TBC v TBC
Peter Burge Oval, Brisbane

Mon Aug 20
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST Quarter-Final - TBC v TBC
Endeavour Park, Townsville

Mon Aug 20
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST Quarter-Final - TBC v TBC
Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville

Tue Aug 21
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 13th Place Play-off Semi-Final - TBC v TBC
Peter Burge Oval, Brisbane

Tue Aug 21
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 13th Place Play-off Semi-Final - TBC v TBC
WEP Harris Oval, Brisbane

Tue Aug 21
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 5th Place Play-off Semi-Final - TBC v TBC
Endeavour Park No 2, Townsville

Tue Aug 21
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 9th Place Play-off Semi-Final - TBC v TBC
Allan Border Field, Brisbane

Tue Aug 21
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST Semi-Final - TBC v TBC
Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville

Wed Aug 22
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 5th Place Play-off Semi-Final - TBC v TBC
Endeavour Park, Townsville

Wed Aug 22
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 9th Place Play-off Semi-Final - TBC v TBC
Allan Border Field, Brisbane

Thu Aug 23
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 13th Place Play-off - TBC v TBC
Peter Burge Oval, Brisbane

Thu Aug 23
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 15th Place Play-off - TBC v TBC
WEP Harris Oval, Brisbane

Thu Aug 23
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST Semi-Final - TBC v TBC
Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville

Fri Aug 24
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 11th Place Play-off - TBC v TBC
WEP Harris Oval, Brisbane

Fri Aug 24
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 5th Place Play-off - TBC v TBC
Endeavour Park, Townsville

Fri Aug 24
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 7th Place Play-off - TBC v TBC
Endeavour Park No 2, Townsville

Fri Aug 24
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 9th Place Play-off - TBC v TBC
Allan Border Field, Brisbane

Sat Aug 25
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST 3rd Place Play-off - TBC v TBC
Endeavour Park, Townsville

Sun Aug 26
23:30 GMT
(prev day) | 09:30 local
00:30 BST Final - TBC v TBC
Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville

I'm not convinced that a squad which has five Bajans in it is the best in the region, especially since it's heavily influenced by Beckles, who is well-known for his drive to prioritise bajans over other Caribbean cricketers, especially Jamaicans, who can only gain two berths. This tournament will be good practice for the youngsters, though the best preparation for Test cricket IMHO is the domestic four-day competition, followed by the A team. Hopefully, this tournament can set them on the right track, so they can make a suitable transition into their regional team....

[AFRO]

Yeah Mike look at the WI u19 team Darren Bravo was in HERE , thats a really talented bunch imo, Darren, Powell and Barath have all made it to test level while Johnson and Permaul are banging at the door big time and so is Thomas, another name from that group who is just getting started is SE Thomas, he's a Jamaican middle order batsman who just played for CCC last season in the four day competition and impressed,

I actually think out of all the nations we're one of the most productive when it comes to bringing through the youth, because looking at that Pakistan side that beat Holder's team there's not a single one who's reached test level yet, same thing with the India and England players that played in that competition,

That's why i follow the WI u19 team closely because more often than not a star will emerge from the group, from the current side bar Kraigg i think there's four or five from the current group who will step up, Jones, Alleyne, Khan and Ambris come to mind.

[AFRO]

Anyway back to regional stuff, Guyana batsman Ricardo Adams just got a ton, i'm gonna use this page to list the ton and wicket takers!!..

Batsmen

Solanzo (trinidad) = 2 tons
Hope (barbados) = 3 tons
Adams (Guyana) = 1 ton
Gayle (Jamaica)= 1 ton
Hemraj (Guyana)= 1ton
Nicolson (Trinidad)= 1 ton
Saunders (Leewards)= 1 ton
Baker (Leewards)= 1 ton
Christmas (Trinidad)= 1 ton


Pacers

Powell (Jamaica) = one 5fer
McSween (winwards)= two 4fer
Greenidge (Barbados)= one 4fer
Mcdonald (Jamaica)= one 4fer
Jordan (barbados)= one 4fer
Williams (Trinidad)= one 5fer

There's also been some high 90s scores from Mohan, Keon George, Aldaine Thomas, Kerry Holness and Nicolass Pooran.

The top wicket takers in no perticular order seems be this list of names!!

Walters (Jamaican spinner)
Motie-Kanhai (Guyana spinner)
MCsween (Winwards pacer)
Perriera (Guyana spinner)
Greenidge (Bim pacer)
Jordan (Bim pacer)
Dember (winwards spinner)
Powell (jamaican pacer)

THIS POST WILL BE UPDATED AS EACH MATCH IS PLAYED

[Googley]

ChanderPaul? that name will haunt you till you go nuts!

There is one name thats been a disppoinment though!!.. and thats GRANPA SHIV'S SON!!! ..after all di big talk what a LET DOWN that yute has been!!..that old skunt mussa banned him from di bowling machine to rhatid!!..same old SELFISHpaul!!

how he disappiont you?

[AFRO]

LOL and as usual when someone questions lickle Shiv di guyana man dem start bawl!! , the fact is the yute has the advantage of working with a PRO on a daily basis POOgley!!.. so he should be mashing up di competition, but thus far he hasn't even got close to a ton yet!!, thats why he's been a disappointment.

[Googley]

LOL and as usual when someone questions lickle Shiv di guyana man dem start bawl!! , the fact is the yute has the advantage of working with a PRO on a daily basis POOgley!!.. so he should be mashing up di competition, but thus far he hasn't even got close to a ton yet!!, thats why he's been a disappointment.

asking a simple question is now "bawling?" which PRO he been woking with on a daily basis?

i am just curious..as you seem to have lots of inside info.

[AFRO]

asking a simple question is now "bawling?" which PRO he been woking with on a daily basis?

i am just curious..as you seem to have lots of inside info.

Who the feck do you think he's working with? DEONARINE?

the fact is it's well known that he's worked closely with his father and has had exclusive access to the famous "bowling machine" and yet he hasn't been able to get it done this competition despite being hailed as the "next best thing" in Guyana cricket!!..

[Googley]

as usual, Afro don't know his facts from his farts!!