U-15s ready for West Indies Tourney

Coach of the Barbados Under-15 cricket team, Alvin Greenidge, is hoping not to have a repeat of last year's experience when his side journeys to Trinidad for the West Indies tournament.

The team leaves Barbados on April 9 for the week-long tournament, and already Greenidge is wary of the facilities his players could encounter.

I'm hoping the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) gets it right this year so we won't have to face the same difficulties we had last year, said the former Barbados and West Indies opener as his side had a training session at Queen's Park.

Most of what happened on the field was fine, but it's what happened off the field that has me worried.

Greenidge said that last year, like this year, the tournament was jammed into one week. However, the major problem was the accommodation, which had six players sharing a room.

The accommodation was poor. I want the WICB to wake up and realise that they are dealing with people's children. The children need to be taken care of in a proper way, he said.

Last year we had a situation where one boy got sick and that led to six being sick.

The coach added that he was disappointed that the tournament was again going back to Trinidad.

He noted that the focus should be on exposing the players to varied playing conditions and a return to Trinidad would be a return to flat, docile pitches.

There are different surfaces in the different territories and the boys need to experience this.

Barbados placed third last year and will be hoping to go all the way this year.

The captain, Renaldo Parris, is the most experienced player, having been a part of the West Indies side which won last year's Under-15 World Cup at Lord's.

Greenidge said the side was balanced with an excellent spin attack, including off-spinners Gary Belle and the lanky Daley Hurley, and leggies Ramon Goodman and Shamarh Brooks.

Brooks, at age 12, is the youngest player to represent Barbados at this level. The Lodge School student is highly-touted, not only for his bowling, but classy batting.

The other baby is Alleyne School student Jonathan Carter, who created waves two years ago when he made two centuries and took ten wickets in an innings.

Barrington Yearwood, nephew of former Barbados bowler Emmerson Jordan, is the only player with Division 1 experience, while fast bowlers Ruel Brathwaite and Ormon Kellman can generate pace.

The team has been preparing since January and, apart from Greenidge, was under the guide of coaches George Linton, Anthony Headley and chairman of selectors Ezra Moseley. Parental support has also been evident.

Greenidge said the side had the groundwork in place and it was now a matter of fulfilling their potential when they reach Trinidad.