Under-15 an inspiration

There is an abundance of (cricket) talent in the West Indies, it's just to get it together.

- Tishan Maraj, captain of the Under-15 West Indies team, Costcutter World Challenge champs.

Three could not have been a better advertisement for youth cricket in the West Indies if Hollywood had scripted it.

Amid continued laments that cricket's popularity among West Indian youngsters is waning, in favour of other sports especially basketball, 14 courageous young men have proved there is still great enthusiasm and love for the king of sports in the Caribbean.

The spirited triumph of the West Indies Under-15 team in the Costcutter World Challenge final in England last Thursday is a fairytale boost for youth cricket.

It could not have come at a better time either, as the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) prepares to extend its youth and development programmes to ensure the future of the game which has produced the likes of Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd, Courtney Walsh and Brian Lara.

Who better to champion cricket's cause but the stars of tomorrow - all the more appropriate as our Under-15s achieved success the hard way.

Their ascension from underdogs to the top spot among the world's junior cricketers brought out the best in these teenagers.

They tied their last preliminary match with India (advancing to the semifinals on a better run-rate). They beat favourites South Africa in a high-scoring semifinal and held off Pakistan in a keenly contested finale at Lord's.

The sight of these young cricketers praying and cheering each other on the field and from the pavilion was, by all accounts, something to behold.

Both coach Gus Logie and manager Lennox John said they could see the team improving with each match and attributed victory to the boys' mental toughness, commitment to purpose and self-belief.

As WICB president Pat Rousseau noted in congratulating the champions, these players have done their countries, respective teams, families and, most of all, themselves, extremely proud.

We salute these young heroes and their management!