KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- Jamaica’s under -19 cricket coach, Robert Samuels, says he is not surprised that six members of his team were selected to the West Indies Under-19 squad to play against Bangladesh in Guyana next month.
The players, led by 17-year-old off-spinning captain Ramaal Lewis, are down to play in a seven match one-day series against the touring Bangladesh team.
Batsmen Brandon King, Tristan Coleman and Leroy Lug, batting all-rounder Fabian Allen and fast bowler Marquino Mindley are the other Jamaicans.
“I was not really surprised at the selections as when you look at the tournament statistics,” said Samuels.
“I believe we would have had quite a number of pick”.
Jamaica retained the three-day league trophy, and added the 50-overs knockout at this year’s regional Under-19 tournament.
King, Coleman and Mindley were participating in their final year at the regional Under-19 level, while Lewis, Lug, and Allen are eligible for next year’s staging.
“Coleman was very good throughout batting-wise, King stroked the ball well and looked good every time he was at the crease, while Lug ended as the team’s leading run-scorer,” said Samuels
“As for Lewis, he bowled with variation and accuracy throughout, while Allen got runs and wickets.Mindley, meanwhile, was a part of the West Indies Under-19 team last year, and having bowled well this year, one also expected him to make a return”.
The West Indies Under-19 versus Bangladesh Under-19 series is slated to bowl off at the Guyana National Stadium on Monday, October 7.
Both teams will be using the tournament as a warm-up ahead of next year’s ICC Youth World Cup.
