PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – West Indies emerging player Jayden Seales is looking forward to learning from cricket veterans and fellow Trinidadians in the 2020 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), once the COVID-19 pandemic does not prevent his debut in the franchise tournament.
Seales was yesterday named by Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) as one of 10 Caribbean players selected for the 2020 season. He was the only new regional signee but another emerging player, Amir Jangoo who joined the squad last year, was among the nine retained.
Back in March, the budding star made the list of West Indies Emerging Players drafted into this year’s CPL which is scheduled to take place August 19 – September 26 unless the global pandemic forces a postponement or cancellation.
Like other regional cricketers, Seales is currently off the field and staying safe at home here, following established protocols in the fight against COVID-19.
“I wasn’t expecting a CPL selection this early, but I am very pleased. I’m currently training at home; doing as much fitness and strength work as I can. I am looking forward to the CPL, to get back to proper training and playing, with the main aim being to break into the Trinidad [and Tobago] senior team in the near future,” he said in a recent interview on Windies Cricket Instagram Live.
A stellar performance at the Under-19 World Cup held in South Africa earlier this year earned Seales the ICC’s nod for Team of the Tournament, although the West Indies squad missed out on the chance to compete in the World Cup final.
The 18-year-old thrilled fans around the world as he attained speeds of over 90 mph on numerous occasions throughout the competition. He went on to amass a total of 10 wickets at an average of 18.3 in the six matches West Indies played.
He has joined Jangoo, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Bravo, Sunil Narine, Lendl Simmons, Khary Pierre, Tion Webster and Akeal Hosein in the TKR squad.
Wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin has not been retained.
TKR said in its statement yesterday that international retentions and signings will be announced at a later date.
