ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Grenada will play hosts to the Regional Under-15 Championships which bowls off later this month, with two-time defending champions Guyana seeking a successful defence.
Last year, Guyana won the tournament on home soil when they topped the table following wins over Leeward Islands, Jamaica and Windwards and this year, they are expected to receive strong challenges from that trio, along with Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, in the tournament scheduled to run from July 27 to August 3.
“This competition gives our junior players an opportunity early in their development to showcase their ability on the regional stage and test themselves against the best players in their age group,” said Rawl Lewis, the West Indies Cricket Board’s project manager for junior cricket.
“Having regional matches for players in this age group is also extremely valuable and productive for us because it will give a clear understanding about the depth of talent that exists in the region, so we know where we need to place the emphasis in the development cycle, as the players work to move up through the age groups in their respective territories.”
The tournament will feature five rounds played under a round-robin format with the teams with the most points emerging champions.
Guyana will open their campaign against Windward Islands at Progress Park while Barbados play Trinidad and Tobago at La Sagesse and Jamaica take on Leeward Islands at Tanteen Recreation Ground.
T&T enter the tournament with the distinction of having won seven titles, the last coming three years ago while Guyana and Jamaica have each won four titles.
Leewards are the only side never to have tasted success in the competition.
