Guyanese Joshua Persaud and Colin Barlow said yesterday that they were both excited about their call-up to the West Indies Under-15 14-man team for the upcoming WICB U-15 Invitational tour of the United Kingdom, from August 21-31.
The WICB youth team will lock horns with the home team, the England Barmy Army Colts. During an interview with Stabroek Sports, the two players who were selected after top individual performances during last season’s tournament, shared their thoughts on this career milestone. The third Guyanese selectee Kevin Sinclair is currently dealing with some visa problems.
Persaud, the GNIC Cricket Club and Guyana U17 wicket-keeper batsman was extremely delighted about his nod, seeing it as an opportunity to take his budding career forward. “First of all I want to thank God,
It was a great feeling, I didn’t expect it, it was just a great feeling, I feel good about it because I will be getting to meet new friends”, said the young man.
Persaud was however more happy that he will be accompanied by his friends and teammates from Guyana. “I know these players from Guyana so I’m glad they will be coming with me being around old teammates from Guyana and meeting with new ones will be good”.
The Guyana U-15 vice-captain who was at that time, the ace scorer for his country and the tournament was optimistic about this tour, boldly highlighting his aims. “My goal is to get at least two hundreds and two fifties and 15 dismissals because I’m the only keeper on the tour, I just want to focus on batting long, keep my head up and be confident in myself”.
Meanwhile, a much shyer Barlow who was one of the standout fast bowlers during the U-15 tourney, shared similar feelings to that of his teammate. “It felt great I didn’t expect to be selected for the West Indies so I think it will be a great experience for the future because I will have the experience when I get older”, said Barlow.
“It will be a great experience, meeting new friends and mix around them”, said Barlow who also said becoming a better fast-bowler during the tour was one of his main aims.
Both young men thanked National coaches Garvin Nedd and Julian Moore, the WICB Selectors. There was also a special word of gratitude from Persaud towards his club coach at GNIC Clive Grimmond who he said has been working with him all this time.
