Under-19 cricketers sizing up better outing in Dominica

A bubbly St Vincent and the Grenadines Under-19 cricket team left on Wednesday for Dominica, on a mission to be a force to be reckoned with in the 2015 Winlott Inc Windward Islands tournament.{{more}}

The 13-member outfit, which was to have played its first match yesterday against the host at Benjamin Park in Portsmouth, was positive about an outcome in their favour, as expressed by team coach Olanzo Jackson.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT just prior to their departure on Wednesday, Jackson said: “We are really confident with the team that we have…. We have a few guys from last year, including four bowlers, including Obed Mc Coy, who was part of the Windwards team last year.”

When St Vincent and the Grenadines hosted the tournament in 2014, the Vincentians docked in third. Jackson believes his charges have within their armoury what it takes to topple the defending champions Grenada.

“Our chances are very high; granted we have a lot of the guys coming back from last year…. St Vincent and the Grenadines is always a favourite for the tournament, as well always go out there and give a 100 per cent,” Jackson stated.

“All the guys are hyped and we are looking forward to win this tournament,” Jackson said.

Jackson, however, admitted to a tinge of disappointment with the team’s preparatory work leading into the tournament.

“Preparations could have been better, but all in all, we did our best in the circumstances … I must say a big thank you to Deighton Butler, who helped us in the physical part,” Jackson added.

However, St Vincent and the Grenadines was without experienced and explosive opening batsman Gidron Pope, who was set to miss the opening match against Dominica.

Pope is part of the St Lucia Zouks team in this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Jackson revealed that arrangements have been made with the franchise holders of the Zouks to have him fly to Dominica on the days when his team is not fixtured.

“Pope is our backbone and he is the most experienced player and his knowledge of the game… He is one of the top players in the Caribbean at the Under-19 level… Hopefully we will get him for the other two matches in the first round against St Lucia and Grenada,” Jackson projected.

The Vincentian team will be led by Romano Pierre and includes Obed Mc Coy, Jeremy Layne, Benniton Stapleton, Shane Roberts, Vincent Cupid, Dominic Da Silva, Ziani Da Silva, Husani Porter, Dillon Douglas, Rasheed Fredericks, Kinson Dalzell and Othneil Lewis.

Matches in the tournament are set for Portsmouth and the Botanic Gardens in Roseau. They are of 50 overs duration, with the teams facing each other twice.

The tournament runs from June 24 to July 3.